Israel celebrated Earth Day big time this year. The Foreign Ministry hosted April 22 an international online event, organized by Ambassador Aliza Bin-Noun. Several foreign ministers participated, alongside World Health Organization Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, climate experts and representatives from 83 Israeli missions. Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi pointed out that "Israel is a global leader in climate innovation," adding that by advancing new technologies, "we build a better and more stable future for our children and our grandchildren."

One of the Israeli leaders in developing new climate-friendly technologies is actually the town of Hadera. This mid-size town is located in the north of the country and is home to middle-class Israelis. Away from the wealthy center of Israel, it does not enjoy generous municipal budgets like Tel Aviv and its suburbs. On the other hand, it is not included in the list of the poorest cities, and does not enjoy special development funds either. Still, Hadera was the first town in Israel to construct net-zero energy buildings. More so, it continues to lead the way on this issue and serve as an example to other Israeli localities.

Hadera’s engagement to clean energy started already in 2014, when the local planning and construction committee adopted visionary recommendations by Mayor Zvi Gendelman for promoting sustainable green building standards. The first ground-breaking concrete step taken in that direction was the construction by the Alfa Sustainable Projects company of a net-zero energy building for two municipal kindergartens.

On its website, the company explains that "the Hofim Kindergarten is the first operating Net Zero Energy Building in Israel. Alfa managed the design of this unique project focusing on both energy efficiency as well as health and wellbeing for children." Sketches on the site show a solar chimney, whereby the sun's heat warms the air in the chimney that is then circulated out of the structure, solar panels on the roof and other features. The guiding principles for the planning of this building were controlling indoor air quality and using nontoxic materials. With its solar panels and its means of reducing energy consumption, the building is generating more energy than the energy it consumes.