Life in our shared world

The blue-green roofs of the VU buildings on campus are a nod to the bogland that used to be here. Underneath the green roof is an extra layer that collects rainwater. This reduces flooding during heavy rainfall in this densely built-up area. The temporarily collected water also cools the building in summer. 

In addition, the roofs contribute to greater biodiversity. The green roofs are in full bloom in summer. They contain rich vegetation, including clover, yellow rattles and poppies. This vegetation attracts many bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies that drink the nectar from the flowers, as well as birds such as the redstart, which nest in the tree stumps on the roof. The roofs also serve as a living lab for our scientists, who are investigating how the roofs can absorb particulate matter. 

Since early September, the VU campus has been home to a new bee hotel. The hotel is made from wood sourced from trees felled around the W&N building. In addition to this new home for bees, Houtzagerij Stadhout (sawmill) has also made picnic benches and tree trunk benches, which can be found scattered across the campus grounds. In a bee hotel, bees can lay their eggs safely and securely. This attracts more bees that can pollinate plants, which is good for our ecosystem. 

Within Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, our community works within networks to embed sustainability and biodiversity in our organisation, our research and our education. 

The Sustainability Office oversees the implementation of VU Amsterdam's sustainability strategy. It also initiates and implements sustainability initiatives within the university. 

Amsterdam Sustainability Institute (ASI) brings together researchers from all faculties to promote interdisciplinary collaboration on sustainability research. 

At the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) of the Faculty of Science, scientists work together to contribute to sustainable development and solutions to environmental issues.

Green Office VU is the university's student-led sustainability platform. As a sustainability platform and think tank, they advise on decisions such as preventing food waste, increasing plant-based food in canteens and VU Amsterdam's energy consumption.