{"id":149902,"date":"2023-02-07T11:47:56","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T10:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=149902"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:38","slug":"more-vegetarian-food-and-more-sustainability-education-university-acknowledges-climate-emergency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2023\/02\/07\/more-vegetarian-food-and-more-sustainability-education-university-acknowledges-climate-emergency\/","title":{"rendered":"More vegetarian food and more sustainability education: university acknowledges climate emergency"},"content":{"rendered":"

Erasmus University is aiming to refine its sustainability policy in the years ahead: the university should not be climate-neutral, but should instead have a positive impact on the climate. Research should facilitate faster restoration of the climate and ecosystems. Measures will also be introduced on campus and in the educational buildings.<\/p>\n

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The university previously announced its plans to become a meat-free campus<\/a> by 2030. \u201cThe university recognises that eating plant-based foods is an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions\u201d, it states in a press release. The aim is to reduce emissions, not \u2018just pay to offset them\u2019. Additional steps will therefore be taken towards becoming a meat-free campus. Starting next quarter, staff will only be able to order vegetarian snacks and meals from the catering service, and discounts will be offered to encourage students to eat vegetarian.<\/p>\n\n\t

The Executive Board will consider what other measures the university will take. That should happen by the end of this year. In the transition plan to be drawn up, the university wishes to explore how it can help to promote biodiversity and combat global warming. Relationships with \u2018organisations that have a major impact on the climate and ecosystems\u2019 will be critically examined as well. Following an analysis, the Board will not make an immediate decision on breaking ties, as demanded by activist group OccupyEUR<\/a>. According to the university, the decision regarding whether or not to end these relationships involves \u2018important values such as academic freedom and the independence of scientific research\u2019. The issue should therefore be discussed within the entire university community.<\/p>\n

Sustainability education and research<\/h2>

According to the university, all students will \u2018come into contact with sustainability education about the climate and ecological emergency\u2019 in the years ahead. What this will look like is not yet clear.<\/p>\n

The university should create more space for research that can contribute to \u2018faster restoration of the climate, ecosystems and a more just society\u2019. Partnerships between faculties should be encouraged, and researchers should also be given the opportunity to learn the necessary research skills.<\/p>\n\n\t

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Lees meer<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t