Leading the Nation in Academic Sustainability

Through many new initiatives, TAU is creating a completely green campus and a better climate future

Climate change is already here, and it affects everyone. In addition to the impactful research at Tel Aviv University’s New Environmental School, TAU is doing its part to combat global warming with a recent commitment to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions on campus. To do this, every detail of emissions across TAU was mapped out to create a multi-pronged plan for a more environmental campus. That plan is already in motion, led by recently-appointed Head of Sustainability and experienced climate researcher and activist, Dr. Judi Lax. Last year, TAU’s efforts earned it a 150-place jump in the prestigious QS World University Ranking of Sustainability, and the top spot in Israel.  

Read about TAU’s many sustainability initiatives below: 

The Energy Revolution: Transitioning to 100% Clean Electricity 

Tel Aviv University is excited to announce that it will be moving to 100% renewable energy use on campus: 

• Solar electricity on rooftops: As part of the move, the University is parting ways with natural gas and switching to solar electricity production. Solar energy already powers several main buildings; since the beginning of the year, solar panels have already been installed on the roofs of eight more large buildings on campus. These installations will continue with solar panel-lined roofs to shade parking lots; an outdoor solar field; and even an energy storage facility. 

• Reducing and saving: The cleanest electricity is what’s never used in the first place. TAU’s Fleischman Faculty of Engineering ran a campaign for energy efficiency with the slogan “Think Light!”, encouraging its members to be mindful and reduce their energy consumption wherever they could. The project showed great results and is expanding to other faculties this year. 

Smart Mobility: Green and Accessible Transportation 

Transportation is the second-largest source of emissions on campus. After carefully mapping the routes most people take to campus, public and green transportation options are being promoted: 

• Upgrading the shuttle system: For many years, a free shuttle service has helped students navigate campus and access public transit. Now, that service is expanding with longer hours, more shuttles at “rush hours”, location tracking and year-round service. 

• Infrastructure for riders and drivers: For those who have their own means of transport, TAU is encouraging greener options. Public bicycle-repair stations and charging stations for electric vehicles have been installed throughout the campus.  

• Greener campus vehicles: Energy efficiency is not limited to buildings—it also applies to everything in between. For cleaner deliveries and campus operations, TAU is gradually transitioning to a fully electric fleet of operational vehicles.  
   

Cooling Campus: Urban Nature and Creating Shade 

Nature is an integral part of the solution to climate challenges, and the physical design of the campus must function accordingly.

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• Cooling the environment: In the hot Israeli summer, shade is a valuable commodity. Since trees are able to significantly reduce the temperature in their environment, dozens of new shade and fruit trees have been planted on campus in recent years. This is in addition to the establishment of artificial and solar shading solutions. 

• Surveying the urban forest: In order to understand and plan correctly, a group of volunteers mapped each and every tree on campus—so far, the number is 1,800! This data may serve as a scientific basis for combatting urban heat, encouraging pollinators and nurturing biodiversity. 

• Sustainable construction: Proper planning is the most effective way to reduce emissions for decades to come. Today, every new construction on campus is built according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection’s Green Building Standard. 

• Involving the community: On Tu B’Shvat, the campus community was invited to participate in planting new shade trees, cultivating the campus herb garden, and setting up a pollinator garden.  

• Campus Nature Competition: TAU’s campus is alive, breathing, and spectacularly beautiful. To capture this magic, the sustainability office held the “Campus Nature” photography competition which brought in thousands of photos. The competition winners will be featured in a special exhibition. 
   

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Waste as a Resource 

Behavioral change and the right infrastructure can help waste become an opportunity: 

• “Let it stay on campus”: Furniture that is given up doesn’t have to be thrown in the trash. A new project helps University workers find new homes for old equipment, and in just the past year dozens of items were saved from landfills or from becoming further sources of pollution. 

• Recycling right: A waste separation project led by the Faculty of Exact Sciences is making possible the correct disposal of plastic containers, paper waste, packaging waste, and more across campus. The project led to an impressive 30% increase in recycling on campus. 

• Difficult disposals: Some waste is harder to dispose of safely. To help curb improper disposal of materials that can cause disproportionate harm to people and the environment, TAU set up special collection stations. These include electronic waste depositories and even laboratory waste disposal and recycling.  

National Pride: Sustainability and Community 

The shared purpose of a greener University environment has brought together many passionate partners and gained recognition for TAU.

• Rising in the ranks: The many projects on campus were recognized by the prestigious QS Global University Sustainability Rankings for 2026. TAU rose a whopping 150 places in the list, launching to the top spot in Israel last year!  These efforts also received recognition from the Tel Aviv Municipality. 

• Collaboration is key: Real change happens thanks to the combined efforts of many individual people, and this is incredibly clear in the dedicated cooperation of numerous campus groups. Strategic partners such as the Student Union, the TAU Student and Faculty Green Cell, the TAU Climate Initiative, the New Environmental School, the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, the Yehuda Naftali Botanical Garden, and the Dean of Students – all worked together to advance this vision. 

• A place to come together: A broad community of changemakers needs a physical space to meet, learn, brainstorm, plan, and advance their vision. For this purpose, a new Sustainability Center was established on campus where students, faculty, staff, and other partners can gather to work towards a greener future together.