Dossier
Climate
Climate action is an important aspect for TU Delft, and needs to be expressed in its education and research. It should also be reflected in its own purchasing policy and its energy consumption. At the same time, protesters are putting it under pressure to do more and to take action such as ending ties with the fossil fuel industry. Read all about it in this dossier.
Make sure that a new Vice Rector has no ties to the fossil fuel industry, writes master student Jen Jacobs. “It is clear that whoever takes decisions on collaboration with fossil fuel companies should not be associated with that industry.”
In the last few months, TU Delft students and employees have shared their views on collaboration with the fossil fuel industry in various initiatives. These have now been collected in a report. The main recommendations? Ensure transparency and set clear conditions on partnerships.
The climate crisis is so important that sustainability must be included in every single decision, writes Otto Kaaij, our new student columnist. While he believes that TU Delft is making good progress, it is not there yet and an advertising hoarding is the crazy proof of this.
For the last time, a researcher from the GSE Department earns a doctoral degree for research into oil production. It was a long journey to this point, says the Department Chair. “If we would continue oil-based research, we would uphold the status quo. But don’t say we should not work with the fossil fuel industry at all.”
Withdraw from the Future-proof Aviation for the Netherlands manifesto. This call is made by TU Delft alumnus Boris Schellekens in a petition to TU Delft, the University of Twente, and TU Eindhoven. He believes that they are ‘letting themselves be taken advantage of by the aviation lobby’. TU Delft views this differently. “This manifesto is a compromise. And we need it as nothing will happen otherwise.”
Large coal-fired power plants want to switch to wood pellets because coal will be banned in 2030. The Dutch Parliament debated this issue this month. But how sustainable is large-scale biomass burning really?
TU Delft climate philosophers James Hutton and Anna Melnyk help students deal with the many climate dilemmas they face during and outside their studies. How can they handle all the pessimism surrounding climate change? “Letting despair take over is not an option.”
Climate activists occupied a hall in the Mechanical Engineering faculty this Monday morning. They stayed until they had to go. Delta was there all day and covered the occupation in this live blog.
The student Board of the annual career market Delft Career Days is giving more space to sustainability. To some oil, gas and chemical giants, the door will remain closed.
TU Delft is struggling with partnerships with fossil fuel companies. What decisions would staff and students make? An online consultation lets them ‘work out their dilemmas’.
No application rounds, no competing for money… A new unit of research funding body NWO will use a different approach – and 20 million euros – to encourage climate research.
The COP28 UN climate conference started on 30 November 2023 in Dubai, a country built on oil. Delta asks two TU Delft experts about their hopes and expectations.
If it were up to TU Delft students and employees, GroenLinks/PvdA would be the biggest political party. Climate and housing were the most important themes in Delta’s survey.
Scientists in white lab coats joined the climate march, in which around 85 thousand people participated, last Sunday. “I have to do more than just carry out research.”
Past cabinets have implemented few effective climate policies and this must change soon, write twelve prominent Dutch climate scientists in a letter.
The KNMI presented new Dutch climate scenarios on Monday. TU Delft climate scientist Herman Russchenberg and KNMI researcher Sybren Drijfhout: “Extremes determine livability.”
The last time Wim Uijttewaal stood on the blocked A12 as a citizen he got splashed by a water cannon. He does not want this to happen again on Saturday. Because of his toga.
The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences wants more funding for planetary health: interdisciplinary research into the effects of climate change on public health.
Climate activists blindfold Delft statues Extinction Rebellion Delft climate activists have again blindfolded statues in their city on Sunday 11 June to draw attention to the climate crisis. Among the eight statues were Willem de Zwijger at Prinsenhof and the busts of J.C. van Marken & Agneta van Marken in Agnetapark. They were…
As part of a global week of action that started on Sunday 7 May, Scientist Rebellion will visit the Delft campus. End Fossil will also campaign this week.
Action group End Fossil is going to occupy educational institutions worldwide in May. There are also plans in Delft. TU Delft calls it ‘regrettable’.
