BGU Awarded Silver in Global Sustainability Ranking

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev was recently awarded the rank of Silver after becoming a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) to further campus efforts toward building a thriving, equitable and ecologically just world. Membership in AASHE will help BGU advance its sustainability initiatives throughout the institution and in the community.

“The 'Green Campus' unit has been operating at the university for over a decade to promote awareness, activism and sustainability on campus. The first and only university in Israel to submit a full report for this ranking and even to receive a high 'Silver' rating, will enable us to expand our activities," said Prof. Meidad Kissinger, Chair of the Green Campus at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

“AASHE counts on the support of institutions like BGU to fulfill its mission to inspire and catalyze higher education to lead the global sustainability transformation,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “As laboratories for experimentation and innovation, higher education institutions have a unique opportunity to make sustainability part of everyone’s agenda. I welcome BGU to our family of colleges, universities, associations and businesses driving the transformation to a sustainable world.”  

BGU joins major universities such as Princeton, MIT, Berkeley, Cornell and UCLA who are already AASHE members.

Among AASHE’s major programs is the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS®), a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS is intended to engage and recognize the full spectrum of colleges and universities - from community colleges to research universities - and encompasses long-term sustainability goals for already high-achieving institutions as well as entry points of recognition for institutions that are taking first steps toward sustainability.

The report BGU submitted features selected examples of the educational, community-based, research, and operational activities across all University departments. Particularly high marks were achieved in the following areas:

Sustainability in Teaching and Learning
Sustainability is integrated into the curricula of approximately 90% of academic departments. This is achieved through dedicated courses as well as specialized tracks in science, engineering, social sciences, health, and management. A unique emphasis on applied learning—including practical projects, fieldwork, and collaborations with authorities and organizations—earned the university a perfect score in the Applied Learning category.

Research and Innovation for Sustainability
The university maintains extensive activity through research centers dedicated to climate, environmental policy, water, energy, agriculture, and desert studies. Key initiatives include:

Carbon Footprint Analysis: Led by the "Green Campus" unit.

The Goldman Sonnenfeldt School for Sustainability and Climate Change: Serving as a national and international hub for climate research and training.

The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research: Global leaders in water research, renewable energy, dryland agriculture, and climate change adaptation, fostered through broad international partnerships.

Community and Social Impact
Driven by the belief that sustainability is a mission rather than just an academic goal, the University fosters collaborations in fields such as climate policy, sustainable urban planning, and community resilience. Continuing education programs, student-led initiatives, and the opening of academic infrastructure for public use have significantly strengthened public engagement, resulting in exceptionally high scores in this category.

Institutional Leadership and Innovation
The University continues to develop, measure, and implement sustainability policies by integrating environmental considerations into all decision-making processes. Notable recognition was given to the campus-wide initiative to transition to reusable tableware and catering supplies at university events.