Chief Scientist's Bureau

The Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Environmental Protection works to strengthen the professional basis upon which the ministry's activities are based. The chief scientist does this in coordination with the objectives and goals defined by the minister, director general, and management of the ministry.

The office helps fund research and studies relating to environmental issues via its Requests for Proposals. These studies contribute to a better understanding of the processes that affect the environment in Israel, and thus are an essential factor in the ministry's policy formulation.

Main tasks of the Chief Scientist

• Offers strategic consulting on environmental, scientific, and technological matters to the minister, director general, and the ministry staff - including ways to promote environmental issues in Israel (as is done in leading developed countries and OECD countries) in accordance with international conventions entered into by Israel.
• Sets research priorities for the Ministry, including multi-disciplinary research related to environmental matters, in consultation with professionals within the ministry and from outside. Publishes Requests for Proposals that reflect those priorities, then evaluates proposal submissions. Allots funding for external researchers who work in cooperation with the ministry. Follows up on implementation of those studies, which can be done in a myriad of ways including dissemination of written works, academic conferences and discussions, industrial initiatives, and decision making in the public sector.
• Promotes knowledge about cross-disciplinary issues, such as climate change adaptation, health and the environment.
• Collects national and international environmental data for decision-makers and prepares related reports on topics such as environmental indicators. Publishes Ministry's annual State of the Environment report.
• Maintains and promotes connections with international research institutes and organizations that work in the field of environmental protection, including Circle-2, ENPI-SEIS, the Horizon 2020 Initiative, and the World Health Organization's European Process on Environment and Health. Promotes cooperation with research foundations both in Israel and abroad. Promotes bilateral agreements for the advancement of research and technical assistance in environmental matters.
• Strengthens existing relationships, and creates new ones, regarding scientific issues and environmental technologies, with: ministry staff, Chief Scientist Offices in other ministries, academia, and industry.
• Participates in interministerial committees relating to science, strategizing, planning, and more.
• Involved in promoting environmental studies throughout all levels of the education system.