On 20 April, 2023 VU Amsterdam announced a landmark decision to no longer enter into research partnerships with companies in the fossil fuel industry, unless those demonstrably commit to the Paris Agreement. What followed was a series of Fossil Free Dialogues that began on 4 December, co-organized in collaboration with De Balie Amsterdam. Last week, almost a year after the decision, the final event of the Fossil Free Dialogue Series took place. On 11 April, 2024 the VU community gathered to reflect on this process and to celebrate the signing of the new fossil-free research (FFR) framework.
Reflecting on the process and looking forward
The final dialogue offered an opportunity to look back and reflect on the process so far before looking ahead to the next chapter of VU's fossil free journey. As stressed by many speakers during the event, the ceremonial signing marked a crucial step in VU Amsterdam’s path towards sustainability, however we are not there yet and we need to continue working towards this goal.
VU Rector Magnificus Jeroen Geurts walked the audience through the fossil free journey at VU Amsterdam. The idea to enter new research collaborations with fossil fuel companies “only if they demonstrably commit, in the short term, to the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement and the level of decarbonization required to limit temperature increase to a maximum of 2°C, and ideally to 1.5°C” (VU, 2024, p. 2) emerged in 2022 when first discussions on collaborations with the fossil industry began. This process applied a holistic approach, where diverse actors contributed to drawing the narrative together and where different voices were heard and considered.
We really want to be a part of the solution to the climate change crisis, but, as it is an uncharted territory for everyone, we have to do it together.
Prof. Davide Iannuzzi (quoted from Climate Breakdown Episode 4.1: Science and Activism)
This process resulted in the landmark decision taken on 20 April, 2023. Prof. Geurts emphasized the challenge of reaching a conclusion for such a significant topic. Thus, a dialogue series with the wider society was established at De Balie Amsterdam following the April announcement. Engaging in balanced and inclusive dialogue is very much at the heart of VU Amsterdam’s core principles. Eventually, the series proved to be a success, creating a space for critical and challenging, yet respectful discussions between diverse groups (e.g., citizens, activists, fossil industry representatives). The dialogue series allowed for building bridges, contributing to the translation of the statement into the Fossil-Free Research Framework.
The environmental issue and environmental crisis that we are living [in] is perhaps one of the most pressing topics that we, as researchers, can and must contribute to. But we want to team up with [the] external world to do that.
Prof. Davide Iannuzzi (quoted from Climate Breakdown Episode 4.1: Science and Activism)
VU Amsterdam’s Fossil-Free Research Framework
Prof. Davide Iannuzzi, Chief Impact Officer at VU, introduced the FFR framework and the Central Committee on Fossil Free Research (CFFR). The framework was officially signed by Marcel Nollen, Member of the Executive Board of VU Amsterdam responsible for sustainability, making it binding for all VU faculties.
We cannot solve a problem with companies that defend the root causes of that problem.
Prof. Davide Iannuzzi (quoted from Climate Breakdown Episode 4.1: Science and Activism)
The carefully crafted framework, which translates VU’s decision from April 2023 into an actionable output, offers a tool for determining whether to proceed with research collaborations between VU affiliates and fossil fuel companies. The full document can be consulted here.
A way forward for a sustainable future
The event followed with a keynote speech from Nikolaj Schultz (University of Copenhagen) whose research focuses on the consequences of climate change for social theory. Offering insights from On the Emergence of an Ecological Class, co-authored in 2022 with Prof. Bruno Latour, Schultz discussed what an emergent ecological social class could look like and how it could spur mobilization.
What followed was a brief panel on VU’s responsibility on sustainability featuring Prof. Maurits van Tulder (Dean Sustainability), Lennard Jacobsen (Manager Green Office VU), Dr. Kate Negacz (Assistant Professor Environmental Policy Analysis), Dr. David Rossati (co-Founder and co-Director VU Climate Change & Sustainability Law Clinic), and Murray Walter (VU Alumnus, LLM in Climate Change & Corporations).
One responsibility that we have as universities is to make sure that people understand that science is not an opinion.
Prof. Davide Iannuzzi (quoted from Climate Breakdown Episode 4.1: Science and Activism)
Looking into the near future, a congratulatory video from Prof. Phoebe Koundouri (Athens University of Economics and Business) who holds the position of the chair of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Global Climate Hub and co-chair of SDSN Europe. In her message, she congratulated VU Amsterdam on becoming a part of UNSDSN as the leader of the Benelux Chapter. Together with other members of this UN initiative, VU will contribute to translating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into practice on local, national, and global scales and thus continue to positively contribute to society.
The pioneering role of VU Amsterdam
The event was concluded by Margrethe Jonkman, President of the Executive Board. Sharing some finalreflections, she emphasized that signing the framework is both a closure but also a new beginning. What is crucial now is to work together with others to find solutions towards a more sustainable future. Such collaboration requires interaction, where we can hear each other despite potential differences in our perspectives. In the words of Jonkman, it is time for “not only tackling problems but also building a community.”