Utrecht University first Dutch university to sign sustainability manifesto
Utrecht University is the first Dutch university to sign the KNAW manifesto ‘Sustainable Thinking, Sustainable Doing’, reaffirming its commitment to make sustainability central to its mission.
Utrecht University (UU) was the first Dutch university to sign the KNAW manifesto Sustainable Thinking, Sustainable Doing. With this step, Utrecht University underlines its ambition to regard sustainability not as a side issue, but as the core of its mission — in both thought and action.
The manifesto is an initiative of The Young Academy and The Green Young Academy, calling on universities to embed sustainability structurally in education, research, governance and operations.By signing, Utrecht University expresses not only its academic, but also its planetary responsibility. The manifesto calls on knowledge institutions to show courage and to make deliberate choices for a future-proof society.
Agreements based on shared goals
“The strength of this manifesto lies mainly in the collective call,” says Rector Magnificus Wilco Hazeleger. “It is not a set of rules, since every university has different resources and approaches to become more sustainable. But it provides direction and offers a foundation to make agreements based on shared goals. This is something we, as UU, are eager to be a part of.” – Wilco Hazeleger.
Steps toward climate neutrality
The manifesto includes concrete action points, such as integrating sustainability into all curricula, promoting societally relevant research, and formulating a roadmap towards climate neutrality by 2050.
“Our goal for UU is to be CO2 neutral by 2030,” says Vice-President Margot van der Starre. “We’ve recently taken a huge step toward this by becoming the first university in the Netherlands to purchase and operate our own solar park. This is a great example of how, as a university, we continue to invest in sustainability and in the future.”
Living Lab in the Spotlight: Utrecht Science Park
Utrecht Science Park is home to several living labs focused on energy and circularity. These include Lumifield, which explores the generation and storage of solar energy, and the biogas digester, which uses organic waste as an energy source. On their own, these are already promising initiatives. Connected, they could become something much bigger: a functioning, learning model for a circular campus.
From student idea during challenge to ReGreen Hut at Dutch Design Week
On hot summer days, temperatures can rise significantly at Utrecht Science Park, while students are looking for places to study, relax and find some shade outdoors. At the same time, planting trees is not always straightforward: underground, the campus is crisscrossed by a dense network of cables and utility lines. So how can we create shade, greenery and places to relax without major changes to the ground?
Utrecht Science Week kicks off: social and economic impact of Utrecht Science Park in the spotlight
The sixth edition of Utrecht Science Week takes place from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 4 October. During this time, Utrecht Science Park opens its doors to the general public, showcasing how research, innovation, and collaboration lead to tangible societal and economic impact. At the same time, the week underscores the importance of sustained investment in knowledge and innovation.
Looking back at Utrecht Science Week: research, education, and entrepreneurship in the spotlight
Utrecht Science Week 2026 has come to a close. For over a week, visitors enjoyed workshops, lectures, group discussions, and tours focused on science and innovation at Utrecht Science Park. With more than thirty program activities across over 25 locations, there were ample opportunities to experience science up close. We look back on a fantastic week that once again highlighted the essential role of collaboration, and the combination of research, education, and entrepreneurship, in addressing the societal challenges of our time.