Mission and vision

Campus Woudestein garden on a sunny day.

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. 

Student studeert in de Langeveld Building op Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam.

Sustainability at Erasmus University Rotterdam

Sustainability at Erasmus University Rotterdam

At Erasmus University Rotterdam, sustainability is one of our strategic goals. We must search for solutions even if we don’t have all the answers yet. In this video we’ll explain how we integrate sustainability in our research and education.

Student garden

Climate emergency statement

Erasmus University Rotterdam declares a climate and ecological emergency. By doing so, the university acknowledges that urgent and coordinated action is needed to counter the effects of climate change and the destruction of ecosystems.

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Sustainability Month

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.  

Sustainability and our education

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.  

Sustainability in our research
Zonnepanelen Erasmus Building

Sustainability as a prerequisite

Sustainability is a fundamental cornerstone and an important precondition for the development of the campus and its facilities: our buildings on campus, the food sold and served at the university, the design of the working environment and the outdoor areas.

Sustainability in our operations and policies

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.

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 2023, EUR ranked 14th out of 33 higher education institutions that participated.  We are proud of the improvement compared to 2022, when Erasmus University achieved 17th place. We continue to strive to make continuous progress and stand for sustainability at our university.

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. 

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.

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