The Clinic is guided by the values of promoting sustainability and environmental justice, with deep consideration for the challenges unique to the State of Israel. In light of these principles, the Clinic works with government authorities through a variety of channels — from improving decision-making processes and shaping environmental regulation, to conducting regulatory research with practical potential and leading legal-environmental initiatives. At the same time, we strive to strengthen civil enforcement tools in the field of environmental quality.
Through these actions, the Clinic seeks to drive processes that lead to real-world results, by building collaborations with environmental organizations, academic researchers, public authorities, and private bodies that identify with the Clinic's vision. In addition, this activity prepares students to take part in and lead legal campaigns in the environmental field, and to help raise public awareness of the importance of the issue.
Selected Projects
Protecting the Open Space at Mikveh Israel
This project focuses on preserving Mikveh Israel, an extensive open space with significant natural and heritage value in the heart of the Dan region, most of which is currently closed to the public. The Clinic represents Holon residents in an appeal filed with the National Planning and Building Council against a plan that would significantly expand construction in the area and restrict its opening to the general public. As part of this work, students seek to obtain missing materials through freedom-of-information requests, prepare to file administrative petitions as needed, and take part in on-the-ground activism in partnership with the "Green Course" (Megamah Yeruka) association.
Preserving the Ecological Corridor in Nes Ziona
This project focuses on opposing a plan by the National Committee for Preferred Housing Sites (Vatmal) to establish a residential neighborhood near areas of high ecological sensitivity. The Clinic's work includes attending committee hearings, in-depth analysis of ecological and transportation opinions, and preparing professional objections to the plan. In addition, students support local residents in filing personal objections and in public-petition initiatives opposing the harm to the ecological corridor.
Improving Waste-Management Regulation in Arab Localities
The Clinic is a partner in applied research aimed at developing regulatory solutions to the difficult problems of waste management in Arab localities, with an emphasis on illegal dumping in public spaces and waste burning. The research is led by Dr. Uri Sharon in partnership with the "Citizens for the Environment" association. The activity includes learning about municipal enforcement powers and bylaws, and holding a meeting with regulators aimed at promoting policy that will increase recycling rates and eliminate environmental hazards in these localities.
Encouraging Packaging Reuse
The Clinic is a partner in applied research promoting regulation for reusable packaging, aimed at reducing the volume of waste in Israel. The research, led by Prof. Oren Perez in partnership with researchers from the Faculty of Law and the Department of Geography, examines options for formulating policy for the Ministry of Environmental Protection while taking behavioral-economics considerations into account. Students reach out to manufacturing and marketing companies to gather information about their activities, analyze ESG (corporate responsibility) reports, and write and develop a policy paper on the subject.
Regulating the Handling of Lithium Batteries
In light of the growing use of lithium batteries, the Clinic is examining how to handle them at the end of their shelf life in order to prevent uncontrolled disposal, which causes numerous fires. As part of this project, students are preparing and developing a policy paper and considering filing a petition regarding the failure to advance appropriate regulation in this field, in partnership with the Center for Environmental and Climate Law.
Orange Recycling Bins in Office Buildings
Students are developing a policy paper examining the need to advance primary legislation or municipal bylaws requiring the placement of packaging recycling bins in office buildings and high-rises. The work is carried out in partnership with the Ramat Gan Municipality and law firms, while examining various incentives to advance the issue.
Remedies in Environmental Class Actions
This project focuses on preparing a policy paper recommending appropriate remedies in environmental class actions. Students analyze the remedies awarded in similar past proceedings, according to the type of harm and the stage at which the proceeding concluded, with the aim of formulating an organized, professional set of recommendations
Promoting a Green Campus
This is an activist project focused on creating change within Bar-Ilan University, with an emphasis on reducing the use of disposable items and promoting sustainable nutrition. Students lead initiatives to increase the availability of meat alternatives at campus dining venues and events, demonstrating hands-on involvement and engagement
Environmental Campaigns
Over the years, the Clinic has supported dozens of activists and NGOs in various environmental campaigns. Among the key campaigns it has been involved in in recent years:
- The Clinic represented the Israel Union for Coastal Preservation Forum in planning proceedings concerning the establishment of a logistics-operations complex to serve the new Haifa Port. Thanks to the Clinic's involvement, the environmental guidelines in the plans were improved.
- The Clinic represented the Yuvalim-2041 association (a Jerusalem residents' association) in a range of planning proceedings aimed at improving proper urban-renewal plans in the Kiryat Yovel neighborhood of Jerusalem. This joint effort produced significant changes in urban-renewal policy in the Yuvalim-Ganim area.
- The Clinic represented residents and NGOs in submitting comments on emission permits — permits that determine the amount of air pollution factories are allowed to emit — and distributed a plain-language "rights guide" designed to make the process accessible to the public and clarify its complexity.
- The Clinic represented the "Public Forum for Environmental Quality" association in Ashdod in a series of planning proceedings aimed at protecting the city's coastline.
- For a decade, beginning in 2014, the Clinic accompanied the processes of formulating and legislating an integrated environmental licensing reform led by the Ministry of Environmental Protection — a reform that was ultimately approved in 2024.
- Among the ongoing proceedings the Clinic is currently handling are efforts to open and make accessible to the public the "Mikveh Israel" area (a large open space in the center of the Dan region), which is currently closed to the public.
- The Clinic participates in groundbreaking research and is currently engaged in a study examining waste-management issues in Arab society (commissioned by the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Environmental Protection), as well as a study on the circular economy.