To contribute to its sustainability ambitions, Erasmus University Rotterdam expressed the ambition in 2022 that the food and beverage offerings on campus would be completely vegan by 2030. However, conversations with students and staff revealed that there is not enough support for this vision. To find a good balance between sustainability and freedom of choice, EUR is now aiming for on the Planetary Health Diet.
The Planetary Health Diet is the result of a study by 37 scientists from different countries. Their research question: How could we as earthlings organize our diet to live healthy and sustainable lives? After all, it is clear that our current way of producing and consuming food poses a risk to ourselves and to our planet. In 2019, the medical science magazine The Lancet published the scientists' opinions.
We would benefit from eating 50 percent fruits and vegetables, as well as plenty of grains, nuts and seeds. Animal products should make up at most 20 percent of our consumption. The Planetary Health Diet is not a set diet in which products are prohibited. It is a guideline, where everyone can make his or her own choice. Annemiek Strijker, Sustainability Policy Advisor, explains the plans.
In line with our values
The Planetary Health Diet is in line with the values we stand for as a university. Scientifically based and the best option for people and climate. A nice balance between sustainability and freedom of choice.
Annemiek Strijker
Policy Advisor Duurzaamheid
Why does EUR choose the Planetary Health Diet?
"As a university, we have recognized the climate and ecological emergency. Sustainability plays an important role in all our choices. When it comes to consumption, we really need to make strides. The Western food system is just not sustainable with conventional agriculture, which depletes the soil and uses toxins. In addition, the food industry mainly markets processed food, making people increasingly unhealthy. As a university, we feel partly responsible. Therefore, together with the entrepreneurs who sell food on campus Woudestein, we want to work on a solution."
"With that in mind, we researched various scenarios. We held interviews with students and employees; how do they think and what do they want? We also talked to researchers, who are dealing with sustainability in their field. Broadly speaking, there is a lot of consensus, but people want to choose what they eat. One hundred percent vegan is going too far for them. So, we ended up choosing the Planetary Health Diet, which is in line with all the values we stand for as a university. Scientifically based and the best option for people and climate. A nice balance between sustainability and freedom of choice. Of course, financial feasibility also plays a role. A snack and a drink must remain affordable for students, staff and visitors."
How do you bring the Planetary Health Diet to campus?
"First of all, there has been an extensive decision-making process. The plans were discussed in all kinds of administrative bodies. The University Council gave its opinion and the Executive Board finally made the decision. But the real impact is in support and joint action. We will sit down with all the entrepreneurs on campus, such as the SPAR, Food Plaza and the EUR Sport Café. I can already sense a lot of willingness to cooperate and besides: we cannot enforce everything through rules, and we don't want to do that. The ambition is to conclude a covenant with them. That would be a first for the EUR.
"The process is being rolled out step by step. We have drawn up a roadmap food and catering 2025-2030 - 2030 is a capstone year in the national Climate Agreement. In that period we want to grow to a campus where eighty percent vegetable food is offered and only twenty percent animal food. Now we are at only 25 percent plant-based. We are developing a digital tool to monitor our ambitions. For each provider we will track in a simple way the proportion of plant-based food in the assortment."
Is there a link with our education and research?
"Sustainability relates to all scientific fields: economics, law, philosophy, you name it. The topic has a place in research and in more and more teaching subjects. Soon an elective course on sustainable and equitable food systems will start, in which we will give a presentation of our plans. As I indicated, it is really a joint effort. The Erasmus Food Lab is connected, and a student was involved in drafting the roadmap. It would be nice if we become a kind of living lab where we contribute to research on healthy and sustainable food systems. What are the success factors? What behavioral change is possible and desirable? And how do we realize this?"
"We also get inspired outside the EUR. TU Delft included the Planetary Health Diet in its catering tender and successfully implemented it. And several foreign universities are active with plant-based nutrition. We also keep an eye on government guidelines, such as the National Prevention Agreement."
So collaboration and choice are keywords?
"Definitely. We are one community as a campus and it's important that we pull together. No one is forced to conform. We want to slowly move toward more healthy and sustainable consumption. I sense a lot of support, perhaps partly because we have already done some successful pilots. At academic ceremonies, VITAM's catering is completely vegetarian. By now, every coffee shop has plant-based milk in its assortment, which was very different ten years ago. The world is changing and it is logical for us as a university to move with it. Or sometimes lead the way."
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