Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is taking a more conscious and critical approach to collaborations with companies in the fossil energy sector. To support this, the university is implementing an assessment framework to evaluate partnerships in relation to (dis)investment in fossil fuels. With this step, the Executive Board (CvB) endorses the requested recommendation from EUR’s Committee of Experts on the Fossil Fuel Industry (the Committee).
In March 2024, the Committee was tasked by the CvB with developing a guideline to help determine to what extent and under what conditions collaboration with companies in the fossil energy sector is still justifiable. The result is a recommendation that includes an analysis, definitions, conclusions, and a practical assessment framework that faculties and student associations can use to evaluate whether a collaboration aligns with the university’s sustainability goals. These collaborations should contribute to EUR making a positive impact on sustainability in the years leading up to 2030.
The Executive Board will call on faculties to actively start working with the framework in the 2025–2026 academic year, in order to gain experience and evaluate its applicability. Student associations will also be involved from the outset by the deans, for example when inviting speakers or companies. Before the summer of 2026, the CvB will conduct an evaluation with the deans on the use of the framework, including any necessary adjustments. Based on this evaluation, the Board will also engage in discussions with EUR’s affiliated entities—such as EUR Holding, RSM BV, Erasmus Enterprise BV, and the Erasmus Trust Fund Foundation—about establishing an appropriate assessment framework for collaborations with the fossil fuel industry.
Annelien Bredenoord, President of the Executive Board: 'As a university, we want to contribute to a sustainable world and the necessary transitions that come with it. That requires making clear choices. This recommendation helps EUR to engage in collaborations in the fossil energy sector in a careful and responsible way, working toward a positive contribution to sustainability. We are grateful to the Committee for their thorough work and look forward to the implementation of the framework by the faculties.'
Summary of the Assessment Framework
The Committee of Experts on the Fossil Fuel Industry recommends a partner assessment to determine whether (potential) partners meet the defined “moral minimum.” This minimum is forward-looking and assesses whether a partner is committed to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and is demonstrably working toward them. It also checks whether a partner is not actively working against policies and regulations in this area. If the partner assessment shows that the (potential) partner meets the “moral minimum,” then the evaluation can proceed to the project level.
- More information
More information about the Committee’s mandate, the development process, and details of the recommendation can be found on the Committee’s webpage.
Following the recommendation, the committee was disbanded on 6 May 2025, with thanks for its efforts.
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