Hi, team.

WUR is a university with a sustainability-focused mentality. GreenMetric ranks universities via questionnaire. The questionnaire asked for information about open space areas, campus forest vegetation coverage, total carbon footprint, water recycling, and more. The number one position belongs to WUR and has won three years in a row spanning 2017, 2018, and 2019. The university boasts a Sustainability Governance, has partnered with the Wageningen Climate Plan, and continues to push the envelope.

Their strategic plan (click download to see the entire plan) is tackling the sustainability agenda through action. In 2005, WUR did not generate renewable energy. In 2017 they surpassed energy consumption by the generation of renewable energy. They have also increased the amount of waste separation. The separation focusses on paper, hazardous, and residual waste. The idea is to prioritize environmentally friendly processing methods. From 2010 to 2017, CO2 emissions compared to CO2 compensation has greatly improved. In 2010, emissions far outweighed compensation. By 2017, an arguably insanely quick turnaround, compensation outweighed emissions. WUR is leading by example. If other universities want to catch up with WUR they have their work cut out. This is one area where competition is necessary and welcomed.

Cheers!

-Wheeler