Sustainability at VU Amsterdam

Organisation

• Sustainable campus

  VU Amsterdam aims to have a net positive impact on the natural environment and to contribute to a fair and sustainable economic system. In order to reduce our environmental impact, VU Amsterdam aims to create a sustainable campus with four operational priorities and ambitions:

  Energy and climate: in 2040, VU Amsterdam will be a virtually natural gas-free university.

  Food and drinks: when visiting the canteen, VU Amsterdam aims to make vegan or vegetarian food and drinks the preferred option. We are also committed to a plastic-free campus and the prevention of food waste. And all VU buildings have coffee machines with plant-based milk.

  Sustainable purchasing and transport: we test every purchase against five criteria: diversity and inclusion, social return, climate neutrality, circularity and sustainable supply chain. All transport related to our core activities must be emissions-free or compensated.

  Greenery and innovation: we take many actions to make the VU campus a healthy, supportive and stimulating place to study.

  56 sustainable projects

  To achieve a sustainable VU campus, 56 projects have been included in the Roadmap to a Sustainable Campus 2020-2025 as well as various other initiatives started by employees and students via the Student Council, Green Office and Works Council. The projects contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Take a look at an overview of examples by SDG.

• Biodiversity

  VU Amsterdam is increasingly working on biodiversity. The VU campus aims to be one of the largest green spaces in the Zuidas by 2025. Less concrete and more greenery are what make the VU campus a nice place to be. The new greenery in the form of various trees, perennials and grass is good for health and biodiversity, while reducing heat stress and potential flooding after heavy rain.

  Blue-green roofs

  The main building and the new university building have green-blue roofs, while the research building – which is under construction – will also have one. The main building also has a much-used roof garden. The green roof on the new university building is in full bloom in summer and attracts many insects and birds.

  Campus as a living lab

  Sustainability research is also being carried out on the roof of the main building. Local grasses and herbs have been sown on the roof, small ponds for birds created and a wild bee colony given a home. Scientists and students also use the roof for education and research – for example, research into changes in air temperature, humidity, water balance and insulating effects. This helps us increase our knowledge about green roofs in Amsterdam. Watch a film about the roof garden.

  Right next to our campus is the Zuidas Botanical Garden, home to an enormous variety of plants. Its aim is to inspire people of all ages by showing them the beauty and diversity of plants, thereby increasing their knowledge. Students and employees alike visit the garden to relax.

  This video shows what VU Amsterdam – together with nine other universities and colleges – is doing towards biodiversity, and underlines its importance for our campuses.

• Energy

  Vision and Enviro-meter

  At VU Amsterdam, we aim to manage and continuously reduce our environmental impact in a systemic way, and to be transparent about this. That’s why we produce annual reports (since 2010), on the progress of our environmental performance in the areas of energy and CO₂, transport and mobility, water and waste, purchasing and social return, and food, sustainable catering and Fairtrade. We also include all consumption figures, performance indicators and footprint calculations in our environmental barometer report, which we have been publishing since 2003.

  Energy and carbon emissions

  We’re working with the Amsterdam UMC – VUmc location to be fossil-fuel-free by 2035: 100% natural-gas-free plus 100% sustainably generated electricity. When it comes to energy supply, we are reducing energy demand, optimising efficiency and making production more sustainable. The target is to achieve at least 2% energy efficiency every year, as agreed in the Multi-Year Agreement on Energy Efficiency. The agreement expired in 2020. We continue to aim for a 2% energy reduction – for example, through green ICT and energy-efficient lighting. And we’re actively working on putting a new agreement in place.

  In addition, our ambition is to make 100% of the electricity we purchase greener, with a mix of wind energy generated in the Netherlands and in Europe. We aim for 100% of our purchased electricity to be green by 2035.
  
  In 2017, VU Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC – VUmc location established the Energy Master Plan 2035. The plan describes our long-term vision for the transition from energy management to a sustainable VU campus. We have already started the plan’s implementation and are using approximately 45% less gas since 1 January 2021, as planned. This makes us ambitious: VU Amsterdam is ahead of the Paris Agreement, as well as the targets of the Netherlands and the municipality of Amsterdam. Our goal is to be in the top three universities and university medical centres in the Netherlands for sustainable, affordable and reliable energy within ten years. We monitor and update the progress of the Energy Master Plan every five years.
  
  In 2020, VU Amsterdam subscribed to the Sectoral Roadmap for Universities. Subsequently, uniform roadmaps for each university were drawn up. The roadmap for VU Amsterdam is a technical document in which we indicate which measures need to be taken per building to achieve the Paris Agreement goals.

  Electricity

  We have our own central power plant because our energy supply needs to be uninterrupted: for example, for VU researchers and the operating rooms at the Amsterdam UMC – VUmc location. A power failure could cause life-threatening situations or the loss of scientific research experiments.

  100% of our purchased electricity comes from wind power. In 2021, this originated 50% from the Netherlands and 50% from other European countries. Our ambition is to increase the percentage of wind energy from the Netherlands every year and to generate 10% of the electricity requirement on our own campus.

  The next step in making energy generation gas-free was the installation of a Diesel Rotary Uninterruptible Power Supply (DRUPS). The DRUPS was put into use on 30 January 2021. This installation, which provides emergency power in the event of a connection failure, is decoupled from the regular electricity for heating and cooling. This saves us 30-35% in gas usage.

  Gas

  In the Netherlands, the production of green gas is not yet large enough to meet the demand from VU Amsterdam and other universities. That’s why we generate some green gas ourselves. We’ve done the research: if we collect all the kitchen and food waste from the Zuidas and ferment it into green gas, we can produce approximately 1% of our gas requirement. We will work on this in more detail with VU students.

  In collaboration with the Green Office and the Green Business Club Zuidas, VU Amsterdam is investigating the possibility of installing a composting facility for kitchen and food waste in the Zuidas. In addition to producing green energy, it will reduce waste and create useful products – making it a form of upcycling.

  Storage heating and cooling

  VU Amsterdam is controlling the temperature of more and more buildings by using stored heating and cooling that’s not generated using gas (see also our Energy Master Plan 2035). We now have two such storage units: one under the care and welfare training institute building and one under the new university building. The research building will also have a storage unit.

• Energy saving results 2023

  Sustainability is one of the university’s priority areas in its education, research and business operations. VU Amsterdam tries to conserve more energy every year, because the energy we do not use is the most sustainable.

  Last year we were determined to save more energy, a decision fuelled mainly by the price of gas. However, it did help us go the extra mile in terms of becoming more sustainable. Steps in this direction included turning of the lighting on the facade and setting the thermostat one degree lower in winter and one degree higher in summer. What was the result?

  Heating

  Each building on the VU campus has its own unique character and the functions and activities also vary, which leads to major differences from one building to the next. The function of a room is key in determining whether heat consumption is easier or more difficult to influence. Book depots, server rooms and catering areas, for example, need to be kept at a fixed temperature and this makes savings impossible. Some buildings are also older and less insulated than their newer counterparts.

  Offices, corridors and lecture halls are the spaces where we can really make a difference in temperature. During the last two winters, the heating was turned on later (one hour after the buildings open) and off earlier (one hour before closing time). In 2023, the VU campus used 7% less heating compared to 2022, an amount comparable to the annual usage of 23 average households.

  Cooling

  We did the same for cooling during summer as we did for heating during winter, but the other way around. This meant leaving the temperature up by a little. This also led to some decent savings. During the entire year of 2023, we used 9% less cooling than the year before, an amount comparable to the annual usage of 16 average households.

  A very important reduction because 2023 is now on record as the warmest year since measurements began.

  Green ICT

  ICT is also part of the Energy Savings Taskforce. ICT contributes to the energy transition on campus. For example, we now automatically turn off workstations that are not being used and screens go on stand-by faster than before. A Green Team has also been assembled and it is their job to make both their own organisation and ICT more sustainable. If you have any questions, please contact Anne van Zeeland.

  Research

  Researchers have been working on reducing their energy usage in the labs. Equipment used for experiments would frequently be on stand-by all day long. As a result of tighter scheduling, the equipment is now turned off when it is not being used, saving energy.

  Another step was to turn the freezers up from -80 to -70. Extra deep cooling takes energy, and lots of it. By turning the freezers up a little, a great deal of energy is saved.

  Reducing electricity

  In addition to the above-mentioned measures in the ICT and research departments, we are also taking measures in the buildings, such as turning off facade lighting, other lighting and ventilation earlier. This has resulted in a 6% reduction in 2023 (compared to 2022). These are savings comparable to the annual usage of around 950 average households! And we did it together! So if you see any lights on unnecessarily, please turn them off.

  Follow-up

  Of course we have no intention of stopping here, let the energy savings continue! If you would like to find out more about the energy transition on campus, please read our Energy Master Plan.

• Water

  We take various measures to reduce our water consumption and make it more sustainable. For example, we opt for water-saving equipment when renovating toilet and shower facilities, and we take technical water-saving measures. We use the BREEAM criteria for economical water use.

  In addition, there are several other initiatives for reducing our water use:

  Join The Pipe

  We encourage drinking tap water through “Join the Pipe” drinking taps in busy places on the VU campus. The accompanying refillable water bottle (BOGO) is for sale via vending machines. For every BOGO bottle sold, one bottle is donated to a schoolchild in a developing country.

  Water-retaining roofs

  The sedum roof (planted with succulents) on the O|2 Lab building absorbs water and has an insulating effect.

  Water covenant

  In order to prevent flooding as a result of the campus development, VU Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC – VUmc location have signed a water covenant with Waternet. Sufficient water storage must be made available to prevent flooding. Due to building development, there is a higher risk of flooding as well as less surface area to store the water. We compensate for this by creating the same surface area for water or by using alternative water storage systems on campus. Examples of this are the construction of the Buitenveldertsegracht and the green roof on the new university building.

• Waste

  Vision on waste 

  In 2019, a new European tender for waste was carried out, for which a new “vision on waste” was one of the starting points. This vision covers the next ten years.  

  Our ambition is to reduce the amount of waste at VU Amsterdam, through waste prevention, better separation of waste flows, and raising awareness among students and staff. The collection of waste is simple, user-friendly and fits in with VU Amsterdam’s reputation. The removal and processing of waste has been outsourced to a well-known waste supplier. Waste is safely and sustainably stored, disposed of and processed in as environmentally friendly a way as possible. We work with our partners to do all this in an efficient and effective manner. The results of the waste policy can be found in the environmental barometer report.

  Zero Waste 2030

  Zero waste by 2030: that's the goal. We achieve this by preventing, separating, and processing waste at a high standard.

  Together with our waste supplier, we have initiated the Zero Waste VU programme. The aim is to gradually work towards 'zero waste' in the coming years. The objective is to reduce the amount of residual waste each year and increase the separation rate each year, reaching 'zero waste' by 2030.

  Separation of waste

  We separate our waste into more than 20 different types (paper, glass, etc.). In the future, we will focus even more on separating plastics from residual waste and on better disposal of electronic waste. We reduce the amount of waste by setting requirements when purchasing goods for the collection of packaging by suppliers, as well as for the packaging itself, in order to contribute to a more circular economy. Examples include:

  • Separating plastics on receipt of goods and at the central warehouse;
  • Placing waste containers for three streams at strategic locations;
  • Recycling furniture and books;

  Setting requirements for electronic waste when purchasing equipment. Equipment that is recycled after use must be processed according to the WEEELABEX standard, at a minimum.

• Transport

  Transport and mobility

  In recent years, VU Amsterdam has been successful in making commuter traffic and business/service traffic greener.

  VU Amsterdam encourages people to cycle more. Shared bicycles are available for VU pass holders, and we subsidise people to use their own bicycle for commuting. In the coming years, we will make every effort to improve the facilities for cyclists and electric bikes, such as more parking spots, charging points, lockers, showers and so on. Commuting by car has already fallen sharply, while moving the parking for bicycles and cars underground will improve the quality of the public space and create more space for greenery on campus. In addition, we are affiliated with the Higher Education Cycling Mission together with 12 other educational institutions. The mission is intended to motivate employees to cycle more.

  Parking

  We discourage car use via a restrictive parking policy. An employee only receives a parking permit in exceptional cases – for example, disability or poor public transport connection. Car-poolers are also eligible.

  The VU Amsterdam-VUmc parking company has equipped various parking locations with charging points for electric cars and plug-in hybrid cars. The 25 charging stations, 20 of which are in the P2 garage under the ACTA building, are accessible to employees and visitors with a universal charging card. There is a parking garage under the new university building with space for 600 cars as well as 1,600 bicycles. In the new P3 VU campus parking garage, there are 25 charging points for electric cars, with the option to easily expand to 120.

  Sustainable travel policy

  Since 2022, VU Amsterdam has opted for sustainable travel alternatives for business trips, which encourages employees to make travel choices that are less harmful to the environment.

• Food and drink

  VU Amsterdam wants to offer an attractive range of food and drinks that meet the needs of current and future students, employees and visitors to the campus. The range is diverse, offers plenty of options and is available throughout the campus. This contributes to the development of a lively and hospitable VU campus, with a high-quality, attractive offering. Sustainability and health are of paramount importance. Priority areas in the field of sustainability include:

  • Aiming towards a plastic-free campus: we’ve already banned the sale of disposable plastic water bottles; the next step is a ban on soft drink bottles.
  • Offering reusable water bottles and “Join the Pipe” water taps throughout the campus. The catering company also offers glassware or returnable cups.
  • Making catering more sustainable in various ways: Fairtrade, organic, local and regional products.
  • Offering vegetarian food: the catering company offers sufficient vegetarian options, including Meatless Monday. Our goal is to shift to a planet-proof restaurant as quickly as possible, for which a roadmap will be drawn up in 2022.
  • Minimising disposable items: disposable products are only used where necessary. When used, they are sustainable, including compostable, recycled or sustainably managed products.
  • Implementing improvements: the catering company regularly consults with the Green Office to discuss and implement improvement actions and targets. One of the results is the plastic-free bottle policy.
  • Reducing packaging: we opt for tableware that can be used several times. If that’s not possible, we opt for packaging with a relatively low environmental footprint, such as paper, cardboard, plastic or wood.
  • Reducing food waste.
  • Using sustainable products, such as local or seasonal products and products with an environmental or sustainability label. For example, coffee machines with 100% plant-based milk are available in all VU buildings.

  Visionary catering company: Eurest – Compass Group

  Eurest has been VU Amsterdam’s catering company since 2018. Each month there is a central theme, about which various facts, tips and tricks are shared. The themes are:

  • Food waste: there are four campaigns per year to draw attention to the theme of food waste, in collaboration with local entrepreneurs For example, “Verspilling is Verrukkelijk” (waste is tasty) is a platform for entrepreneurs with solutions to food waste. They make meals from food that would otherwise be thrown away, fermented or processed into animal feed. And Eurest is a participant in “Too Good To Go”, where leftovers are given a second life.
  • Plastic: Eurest has its own “Klikk” cutlery made from environmentally friendly, food-safe material. It is 100% recyclable and BPA-melamine-free (BPA-melamine is the chemical composition that is used in the manufacture of plastic). Eurest offers a 10% discount on hot drinks if you bring your own cup.
  • Vegetarian and vegan food: Offering less meat is a priority. Eurest is participating in the Week Without Meat. The number of vegan alternatives has increased, the meals contain at least 30% vegetables and the salad bar is completely meat-free.

• Purchasing

  VU Amsterdam has a sustainable purchasing policy. When purchasing goods and services, we always balance economic, human and environmental elements. In tenders, effects on the environment and society are taken into account as standard, in accordance with the guidelines of PIANOo, the tendering expertise centre of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. When purchasing, we follow the current product groups from 2019. At VU Amsterdam, the minimum requirements are the lowest threshold. We already purchase almost 100% sustainably, and where possible we go more sustainable still. In relevant tenders, such as catering and vending, we involve students and employees in drawing up the tender requirements and making the decision.

  Social return

  The VU web shop limits the product range that faculties and services can purchase. All products have a basic level of sustainability and are produced in countries that respect universal human rights.

  Fairtrade

  In 2011, VU Amsterdam was named the first Fairtrade university in the Netherlands. We therefore attach great importance to serving a sustainable offering in the catering facilities – paying particular attention to Fairtrade. The steering committee of the Fairtrade municipality campaign evaluated that VU Amsterdam meets the organisation's strict campaign criteria.

• Sustainable community

  To make sustainability an integral part of our organisation, we are introducing a small, dedicated team of employees and students for each faculty and service. This team of so-called Green Ambassadors work together to make their faculty or service more sustainable. Best practices are shared with all Green Ambassadors at VU Amsterdam.