Director of the Center for Applied Environmental Diplomacy
Dr. David Lehrer leads the Center for Applied Environmental Diplomacy (CAED) advancing cross-border environmental agreements in the face of political conflict. This groundbreaking center combines regional environmental diplomatic activity, academic research, and the initiation and implementation of projects throughout the Middle East.
Founded on the successes and methodologies developed by the Arava Institute, together with Damour Palestinian NGO for Community Development, and other regional partners, the Center for Applied Environmental Diplomacy operates discreetly and diplomatically with local communities and municipalities. This approach has effectively tackled concrete issues while fostering mutual trust and collaboration.
CAED cross-border projects include deploying clean drinking water generation equipment and wastewater treatment facilities in Gaza, introducing for Palestinians independent energy production devices, and developing sustainable agriculture solutions in off-grid communities throughout the Middle East.
Dr. Lehrer is also the Chair of the Board of Directors of Laguna Innovation. Founded in 2020 with several operational sites, Laguna Innovation offers a zero-sludge, sustainable solution for wastewater treatment, suitable for decentralized, off-grid locations.
Education
Dr. Lehrer holds a PhD from the Geography and Environmental Development Department of Ben-Gurion University (Israel) and a joint Master’s Degree in Management Science from Boston University (US) and Ben-Gurion University (Israel).
2021-2022 academic year Dr. Lehrer spent in Boston University as a Postdoctoral Associate in the Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies and an Israel Institute Teaching Fellow.
Recent Publications
‘The Environmental-Humanitarian Impacts of the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza’ (2024) Report
Lehrer, D., Becker, N., & Bar, P. (2021) Managing nature conservation prioritization: a spatial conservation planning index approach. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 64(9), 1555-1577.
‘The Impact of Annexation on Natural Resource Management and Environmental Justice in the Jordan River Basin’ (2020) Report
Lehrer, D., Becker, N., & Bar, P. (2020) Combing benefits and costs to prioritize the distribution of conservation resources: Evidence from Israel. Journal for Nature Conservation, 58, 125922.
