07 Impact and Engagement

We aim for sustainability to become part of our DNA. To achieve this goal, we want members of the Erasmian community to be actively involved and informed about our sustainability initiatives. Empowering sustainable behaviour among our 4,100 employees and 34,000 students requires providing them with information, guidelines on sustainable behaviour, a supportive community and a space to address their concerns and propose their ideas.

Moreover, we want to practice what we preach: our external partnerships also matter in setting an example of which problems are prioritised and which solutions are supported. Together, these efforts will lead us to create a solid foundation for lasting change.

In this chapter, we introduce the communities involved in sustainability at EUR and outline the main engagement initiatives promoted in 2023.

In June, the Design Impact Transition (DIT) platform organised the second edition of the DIT Day. The conference explored how universities like ours can play a role in accelerating transitions to fair and sustainable systems.

The Sustainability Liaison Network is a platform for exchange and learning between faculties, service departments and students. The network members are also the contact persons who can answer the questions of students or employees about sustainability in research, education or operations.

During the Erasmus Sustainability Days in May 2023, organised by the Erasmus Sustainability Hub (ESH), a showcase called Meet the sustainability educators at EUR was hosted by the DIT platform. Educators from various EUR schools presented their educational activities and engaged in meaningful conversations with both employees and students regarding the intricacies and possibilities of sustainability education.

The Erasmus Sustainability Hub (ESH) organised a petition among students supporting cheaper vegan meals on campus. It collected 1,547 signatures from EUR students advocating the indefinite extension of the vegan meal deal promotion. The results of the petition were shared with the Executive Board (see the chapter on operations).

In 2023, the RSM Positive Change Initiative team continued to foster 17 SDG Ambassadors that help promote the SDGs on campus through their numerous initiatives. The project started actively with Romane Gamot and Lisa Stadlmayr, the SDG 1 and 2 Ambassadors, organising a bake sale to raise money for food banks. Meanwhile, Femke de Leeuw, the SDG 5 Ambassador, created a Valentine’s Day Campaign inviting students to spread messages of inclusion, empowerment and support on campus.

We have identified several sustainable initiatives taken by EUR student organisations. Some highlights are listed below:

• As from the 2023–2024 academic year, FAECTOR is CO2 neutral. It has mapped its carbon footprint, reduced its emissions where possible and offset what was unavoidable.
• Cedo Nulli has reduced its printed material as much as possible. A sustainability committee ensures sustainability practices in all activities.
• Student association In Duplo has included sustainability in its multi-year plan. It organises at least one of its yearly trips by sustainable transport.
• The Economic Faculty Association Rotterdam (EFR) has reduced and offsets its carbon footprint, so that the association is fully CO2 neutral.
• STAR has organised a Changemakers forum.
• The Erasmus University College Study Association (EUCSA) has switched to a more sustainable bank to divest fossil fuels and ensure its money supports sustainable development.
• Students from Erasmus University College (EUC) have developed a plan with the support of EUC faculty and management to remove the tiles at the rear of EUC and create a biodiverse garden for leisure and educational purposes. The plan has been discussed with the city of Rotterdam and is now waiting for the next concrete steps.