Green Office VU Amsterdam

About

Since 2014 the Green Office VU has been the sustainability platform at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. A university is a place where students acquire new knowledge and experiences, but also where new habits are made. Therefore, universities should act as drivers of sustainability and create a cultural change; a green movement. Read their strategy 2020-2025 to know more about what they do on a daily basis and their long term goals as an organisation. The Green Office is inspired by the Green Office Model.

Vision

By 2025, the Vrije Universiteit will hold a solid leading position as the most sustainable University in The Netherlands and the Green Office VU will play a pivotal role as its main sustainability platform and think tank, achieving a permanent advisory role in all sustainability-related decisions as the voice of the VU Community.

Mission

The mission of the Green Office VU is to make a substantial and sustainable impact by influencing and working together with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, its community and partners.

Green Office VU Amsterdam

Achievements

» Co-created a sustainability minor and honours course for 50 students
» Handed out 1,800 water bottles and installed four water refill stations
» Partnered with sustainable search engine Ecosia to create a VU-specific download link
» Publishes the peer-reviewed scientific journal called Science for Sustainability Journal
» As of 2021, the Green Office VU presents a renewed version of the “Sustainability Course Inventory”

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Learn about the Green Office Model

Team

The Green Office VU consists of five portfolios namely: Campus, Research, Education, Community, and Outreach. These portfolios have designated officers plus a manager that coordinates the team. The Green Office VU also actively engages student volunteers through a large volunteering programme.

Green Office VU Amsterdam - Team Photo

Founding story of Green Office VU Amsterdam

Sustainability efforts were already active in education, research and operation at Free University Amsterdam. However, widespread involvement of students in sustainability projects, initiatives and policies was still lacking. The university also scored low in a national sustainability ranking of universities. The Green Office was established in 2014 to tackle these issues and provide a holistic approach to sustainability at the institution.

Green Office VU Amsterdam - Presenting the GO

Background

Green Office VU Amsterdam is part of Free University Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. 22,900 students study and 3,600 staff work at the university. Upon its founding, the Green Office was approved by Facility Services. It is also a department within Facility Services. In 2017, the Green Office had a budget of €75,000. For more information, you can visit their website.