The mission according to Erasmus University's Strategy 2024 is to create positive social impact, guided by the SDGs. Therefore, sustainability must become an integral part of our teaching, research and operations. EUR endorses the climate and ecological emergency we are in, and is therefore working to accelerate the implementation of an ambitious sustainability programme, actively involving the Erasmus community. Students actively contribute in the Erasmus Sustainability Hub, the Eureka week, faculty councils and the U Council.
Unique Value Proposition of the ESH
"The Erasmus Sustainability Hub is led by a dedicated board of students who work tirelessly to create impactful events, promote sustainability on campus, and collaborate with the university administration. Their passion and dedication drive the association's mission to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices among students and staff.
Our Board Members don't work alone, they lead committees made up of active members who volunteer their time to support the Erasmus Sustainability Hub. These committees focus on specific areas such as events, communications, activism and partnerships, and are essential to our success in raising awareness and promoting sustainable practices on campus.
Join the Hub and become a Changemaker by attending exclusive events, being the first to know about sustainable happenings on campus, and being part of activism!
Sign up for free and be a part of the solution for a sustainable future."
Education for sustainability
The strengthened ambition 'sustainability education for all students' will ensure that all students are exposed to sustainability education, including climate and ecological emergencies, during their study career at Erasmus University Rotterdam. This will be done in three ways: an introduction for bachelors, electives and targeted study paths for specialisation.
Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals
EUR contributes to researching and solving the great challenges of our time, with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as our guiding principles. As a university, we deploy our investments and innovations to achieve the SDGs.
Participation in Rotterdam Climate Agreement
For the municipality of Rotterdam, dealing with climate change is a top priority. Erasmus University Rotterdam is committed to create a positive societal impact and has therefore joined the Rotterdam Climate Agreement (Rotterdams Klimaatakkoord). We aim to be a CO₂ neutral university in 2024. To achieve this goal, we are making our education, research and campus more sustainable. Every year, we are mapping our ecological footprint. Also, we are developing a roadmap for a sustainable campus and have formed a Sustainability Committee. Students are also actively participating: they led a Climate Table ('klimaattafel') in which Rotterdam citizens studied the options to consume in a more sustainable manner.
"We are happy with the ambitions and deals that arose during the Climate Table."
Esmee Tanis
Chair of the Climate Table Consumption, Econometrics student
Erasmus University Rotterdam and SustainaBul
Every year, Erasmus University Rotterdam is assessed via the SustainaBul sustainability ranking by Students for Tomorrow. To promote sustainability in higher education, SustainaBul ranks Dutch higher education institutions on their implementation and integrality of sustainability in education, research and organisation. In 2021, Erasmus University ranked 8th out of 32 higher education institutions that participated. We are proud of the improvement compared to 2020, when Erasmus University achieved 15th place, we continue to strive to make continuous progress and stand for sustainability at our university.