VU fossil free

After an extensive internal assessment process, on 20 April 2023 VU Amsterdam’s Executive Board announced that it will no longer enter into new research partnerships with companies from the fossil fuel industry, unless those companies demonstrably commit to the Paris Agreement. This agreement aims to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C (with an absolute maximum of 2°C).

The exact framework conditions of this decision - including the definition of 'fossil energy sector' and 'research collaboration' - are described in the new fossilfree research framework.

As a values-driven university with sustainability as a key priority, we are deeply concerned about climate change. The undeniable consequences of climate change force us to do everything we can to speed up the energy transition. Scientific research and innovation are essential pillars – both for this transition and the commitment to a sustainable future.

Burning of fossil fuels is the largest source of man-made greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, and is therefore the main driver of the climate crisis.

Publications in scientific journals and reports from the UN scientific climate body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), show that companies in the fossil fuel industry are not yet making sufficient efforts to combat climate change. Based on our responsibility as a university, VU Amsterdam wants to work with partners that feel the same urgency and show the same commitment, transparency and responsibility.

Between January and April 2023, VU Amsterdam students, researchers and employees contributed ideas and discussions about collaboration with the fossil fuel industry. Under the guidance of Chief Impact Officer Davide Iannuzzi, a broad representation of the VU Amsterdam community was consulted. For example, there were discussions, a position paper could be submitted, the IPCC climate report was read out, the subject was discussed at university-wide meetings for employees and students, and a debate took place on 23 February 2023. The degree of collaboration with the fossil fuel industry was also examined, and knowledge from scientific (peer-reviewed) research was included. After this extensive consultation and careful consideration of everyone’s input, we finally reached this decision.

Burning of fossil fuels – such as oil, coal and natural gas – that the industry produces is the biggest contributor to the continued increase in carbon concentrations in the atmosphere. Making it the most important cause of global warming. The IPCC report notes that burning fossil fuels has caused around 86%, or the vast majority, of carbon emissions over the past 10 years.

Researchers found that almost 60% of both oil and natural gas, and almost 90% of coal, must remain in the ground until 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C. In fact, the IPCC warns that projected carbon emissions from the existing fossil fuel infrastructure alone exceed the remaining “carbon budget”* of 1.5°C. If we do not act quickly, we will almost certainly exceed the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement.

In addition, there is growing scientific evidence that some of the largest companies in the fossil fuel industry have been aware of the causal link between fossil fuels and global warming for decades.

We must do everything we can to reduce emissions by speeding up the energy transition. VU Amsterdam therefore wants to work with public and private partners who feel the same urgency and responsibility. Partners who are visibly transparent about, and accountable for, their commitment to the energy transition. Our scientists and students also increasingly expect this from VU Amsterdam partners.

* The carbon budget refers to the amount of CO₂ that can still be emitted to limit global warming to a certain temperature target.

VU Amsterdam's principle for new collaborations is 'no, unless'. The Central Committee for Fossil-Free Research (CFFR) assesses intended new research collaborations with fossil companies within the VU framework on fossil-free research. The Executive Board decides on the basis of the CFFR advice. For more information on this, please contact cffr@vu.nl.

At VU Amsterdam, our climate scientists from various disciplines conduct research into different aspects of the climate crisis. They not only study the way the climate system works and the impact that changes have on it, but they also analyse the role of the fossil fuel industry in the climate crisis and the transformations needed to achieve the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement.

Topics range from extreme weather events such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall to the state of the Arctic, the human body’s response to higher temperatures and the industry’s climate commitments. In addition to identifying challenges, our scientists also focus on finding solutions to avert climate change.

A few facts:

• VU Amsterdam professor Bart van den Hurk is now chair of an IPCC climate panel – one of the most prominent positions in the world for climate scientists.
• A group of scientists from VU Amsterdam have advised the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment on sustainable agriculture.
• Our recently launched VU Climate Expertise Centre brings together all the university’s climate knowledge in one place to show what we are doing. It is accessible to the media and society.

Want to find out more?

Visit the Climate Expertise Centre.

Looking for researchers with specific expertise in the climate field? You will find all the profiles and contact details of climate researchers affiliated with the VU Climate Expertise Centre here.

The decision only covers potential research collaborations between VU affiliates and fossil companies. What is meant by this is defined in the VU framework fossil-free research.

This decision concerns only research collaborations. Education programmes are not affected by this decision. 

See the reference guide to help navigate the complex VU landscape of who is responsible for what when starting a new research collaboration.

The Central Committee on Fossil Free Research (CFFR) is the central advisory committee to support decision-making by the Executive Board on whether to proceed with research collaborations with fossil fuel companies. In the VU Framework on Fossil Free Research, section 2.1 visually outlines when advice from the CFFR is necessary.

o M.W. (Marjan) Hofkes (chairman, SBE)
o W. (Wim) van Westrenen (vice-chairman, BETA)
o P.A.M. (Paul) van Lange (member, FGB)
o A.M.C. (Anne) Loeber (member, BETA)
o D. (David) Rossati (member, RCH)
o B.C. (Brigitte) de Graaff (member, SBE)
o Secretary: N. (Neele) van den Bongardt (ASI)

The CFFR tests whether a party is a fossil company, and whether an activity envisaged with them qualifies as a research collaboration. If so, the CFFR examines whether the fossil company is in compliance with the Paris Climate Agreement. The CFFR then issues a recommendation to the Executive Board on whether or not to proceed with the intended research collaboration with the fossil company. The Executive Board decides on this within two weeks of receiving the CFFR advice. If the Executive Board's decision differs from the CFFR's advice, the reasons for this difference will be stated in the decision. 

In recent years, we have been very reluctant to collaborate with companies from the fossil fuel industry. The limited number of existing research projects will continue and will be completed in accordance with their contracts.

Furthermore, we are still able to collaborate with companies that demonstrably commit to the Paris Agreement. 

Our values come before financial interests. As a values-driven university, we call on society to discuss how we can work together towards a sustainable, fair and liveable world.

Learn more about VU Amsterdam's landmark decision to stop research collaboration with the fossil fuel industry and how it got there.