Plant & Environmental Sciences
This department researches the interaction between plants and microbes with their environment.
Hebrew University Proudly Waves the Green Flag
Care about the environment? Here you can learn about the green initiatives on our campuses, including sustainability, recycling, energy conservation and efficiency, green transportation and more.
Real risks have developed in recent years that threaten to upset our delicate ecological balance. We now face considerable dangers and challenges and may be the last generation able to significantly reduce our destructive impact on the environment. In order to stop devastating our planet, we must develop awareness of environmental issues, take responsibility, and reduce the damage we do to our environment in every field.
Hebrew University attributes a great deal of importance to sustainability since it is likely to have significant impact on every one of us and especially on future generations. Consequently, the university established the Green Council in order to promote environmental issues – Take part in its environmental activities today!
Green Council Members:
Prof. Nadav Katz, Department of Physics - Council Chair
Dr. Meni Neuman, Head of the Botanical Gardens, Construction & Maintenance Division
Ms. Dikla Soae, Associate Dean, School of Computer Science and Engineering
Adv. Anat Tal, Deputy Legal Advisor
Mr. Shalom Revah, Director, Construction & Maintenance Division
Contact: greencampus@savion.huji.ac.il
Recycling & Sustainability on Campus
The university aspires to recycle most of its recyclable waste. Collection bins are located throughout the campuses and dormitories. The following items can be recycled: batteries, toner, paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, electronic equipment, etc. In addition, organic waste can be composted.
Used office furniture and equipment can be donated or sold internally through the Finance Division’s Procurement and Logistics Department.
The university invests millions of shekels on improving energy efficiency. Efficient energy use reduces an institution’s environmental footprint and leads to enormous financial savings. Average return on investment is 3.1 years.
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Energy efficient systems on campus
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- Command & Control Systems: Energy center monitoring, volume detectors, carbon dioxide (CO2) detectors, lighting control systems
- New Technologies: VRF systems, VAV fume cupboards, HR chillers, 5T LED lighting, heat pumps
- Energy Conversion: From diesel fuels to cleaner LPG gas
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CO2-based climate control
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- The amount of fresh air in a room is calculated by number of people and not by number of air exchanges.
- Fresh air is determined according to a CO2 rate of 400 PPM outdoors and 800 PPM indoors.
- By controlling ventillation at a CO2 rate of 800 PPM, we can reduce the amount of fresh air and increase the amount of recycled air, saving energy on heating and air conditioning.
- The amount of fresh air is set according to the 6210 Israeli Standard.
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Renewable energy
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- 5.5M NIS were invested at the Mount Scopus campus on PV solar panels, supplying 1.2 mega watts of electricity from solar energy.
- This output accounts for 12% of the campus’s energy consumption.
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Water efficiency
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- 400 water-saving shower heads were installed at the university's dorms.
- The new shower heads output 8.8 liters of water per minute as opposed to 23 liters per minute for the old ones.
- Water pressure systems were also installed to maintain high water pressure.
- Replacing the shower heads also reduced the energy consumption of heating the water.
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Green building and a healthy environment
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Two new university buildings were constructed in compliance with the LEED-Silver standard (U.S. green building standard): The Brain Science Building at the Edmond J. Safra campus and the Institute of Advanced Research at the Mount Scopus campus. The project was initiated by Hebrew University in collaboration with Kallmann McKinnell & Wood Architects, A. Lerman Architects, and Tammy Yaniv Architecture.
The Mandel Center offers a pleasant and healthy study environment and received the LEED-Silver certification due to its exterior design and furniture selection. Its spaces boast an abundance of natural light, unique shading elements and furniture, safe and healthy VOC levels, air-conditioning system with economizers, nursing rooms, and more. All of these result in a healthy environment and in considerable resource savings.
Hebrew University promotes and encourages sustainable transportation:
- Light rail infrastructure is currently being built on all three Jerusalem campuses of Hebrew University – Mount Scopus, Edmond J. Safra (Givat Ram) and Ein Kerem. When the light rail begins operating, the three campuses will be connected by environmentally-friendly public transportation.
- Electric vehicle charging stations have been installed at the Edmond J. Safra and Mount Scopus campuses.
- Free shuttle services run by the Dean of Students Office operate throughout the semester making all the campuses accessible to all the students.
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Bicycle facilities:
- Hebrew University encourages cycling.
- Numerous bicycle parking racks are located throughout the campuses.
- A Jerufun bike and e-bike rental stand has been erected at the entrance to the Edmond J. Safra campus.
- Public bicycle repair stations and pumps have been built at every Hebrew University campus.
Hebrew University students are actively involved in numerous environmental issues and programs.
Green Trend is the largest environmental volunteer NGO in Israel. It promotes environmental change through activism and developing environmental leadership. The Edmond J. Safra (Givat Ram) branch promotes limiting consumer culture and food rescue. The Mount Scopus branch promotes university investments in environmentally friendly projects.
The Environmental Studies Department committee organizes social student meetings, provides updates about various environmental projects in the city, and encourages discussions on all subjects related to the environment. In addition, the committee deals with official university matters and can assist you with university administrative issues.
| Research & Study Programs
Botanical Gardens
Mount Scopus Botanical Gardens
The first university botanical gardens in Israel were founded at the Mount Scopus campus in 1931 by Dr. Alexander Eig. The gardens span over 6 acres and house more than 1,300 plant species, representing over 40% of the wild plant species of Israel. It is an ecological conservatory for a diverse collection of plant groups, preserving authentic Israeli species within their natural habitats throughout all seasons. Click here for more information.
Safra Campus Botanical Gardens
Nature Park & Galleries is an open-air museum at the Edmond Safra (Givat Ram) campus. Founded in 2003 by Prof. Jeff Camhi, the museum offers all age groups a range of experiences connected to the history of nature in Israel, science, and critical thinking. The museum combines study and enjoyment in the special campus atmosphere, bringing you closer to the natural world and enabling you to see it from another perspective: a meeting with Israeli dinosaurs, an over 2000-year-old tree stump, plant evolution gardens, a tree-lined promenade, a bird trail, and more. Most of the open air museum is wheelchair accessible. Click here for more information.
Photo by: Yoram Aschheim
