Working with fossil fuel companies; yes or no? Third edition of Let’s Explore

The topic of collaboration with the fossil fuel industry has caused much debate both inside and outside Wageningen. The first Let’s Explore session in March was attended by more than 150 people. In the past few weeks, the campus has seen various forms of protests against collaboration with companies like Shell. Several students who attended the third and final Let’s Explore session, which took place in Impulse, also displayed banners and distributed flyers to strengthen their voices.

Change is coming

Around 100 participants were welcomed by Inge Wallage, Corporate Director of Communications & Marketing, who facilitated the session. First, Executive Board member Rens Buchwaldt took the floor. He underlined the importance of the Let’s Explore sessions to gain insights and take in the various perspectives and emotions regarding the collaboration with the fossil industry: ‘We will use all the input and use it in the Board to continue our Board discussions on this topic and to decide a way forward.’

Next, three students from End Fossil took turns to speak passionately about the climate crisis and the need for WUR to cut ties with fossil fuel companies. Social change is coming, they said, pointing to the recent blockade of the A12 highway by thousands of protestors. A fourth member of End Fossil then handed over a manifesto to Rens Buchwaldt. The manifesto, which was signed by more than 600 people from many different parts of the organisation, calls on WUR to cut its ties with fossil fuel companies. Finally, Director of Value Creation Sebastiaan Berendse spoke about the energy transition as a wicked problem, which requires all kinds of systemic research.

After these speeches, participants were asked to split up into breakout groups of around ten people, guided by a facilitator. The facilitators provided starting points for group discussions, by introducing statements such as these:

• Refuse any kind of research collaboration with the fossil fuel industry
• Set up a supervisory committee for sensitive research projects
• Take measures to avoid greenwashing by companies that WUR collaborates with
• Charge ‘double’ for research for the fossil fuel industry

These statements inspired spirited discussions across Impulse. Many different subjects were discussed by each of the groups, but there were several recurring themes. Multiple participants expressed their disappointment at the university’s cooperation with big corporations. Some of them had specifically come to Wageningen because of its focus on sustainability. ‘Many different companies are arriving on campus, and I can’t defend that’, said one student. ‘I was devastated to learn how much WUR works with the fossil fuel industry’, said a PhD student. ‘I’m not proud of this place at all.’

Doing the right thing?

Others, however, were skeptical about shunning the entire fossil fuel industry. Several researchers worried that it would infringe on their academic freedom (‘I don’t want the board to tell me who to work with’), and that WUR would be entering a slippery slope. They argued that “doing the right thing” could lead to many new ethical dilemmas. ‘Should we work in Uganda, or in Saudi Arabia?’, a researcher asked. ‘Can we work with the meat industry?’, asked another.

And what about parties outside WUR? Some participants lamented that the Dutch government had reduced its funding, making it necessary for WUR to find other funds. Another insisted that all universities should act together to push for a more integrated national or European approach. A researcher replied that this push shouldn’t come from universities, but rather from politicians. ‘We need strong political decisions. Why isn’t kerosine taxed, for example? If we block universities from collaborating, we are barking up the wrong tree.’

Moving forward

Although many different views and perspectives were shared, participants managed to find concrete ways to move forward. One group elaborated on the implementation of a supervisory committee, which would have to consist of researchers as well as students, and which would advise on sensitive projects based on a transparent list of criteria. Several other groups also raised the importance of transparency in decision-making. These proposals, along with other notes taken in each of the breakout groups, will be shared with all of the participants, including the Executive Board members.

Sjoukje Heimovaara, president of the Executive Board, wrapped up the Let’s Explore session by thanking the participants for listening to each other. She felt a clear consensus that everyone in the room was worried about the future of the planet. Heimovaara added that all universities are struggling with this sensitive topic that challenges them to bring feelings in line with ratio. The Executive Board will evaluate WUR’s collaboration with the fossil fuel industry, will address it and will present its decision before the summer holiday. The input from the three Let’s Explore sessions on this topic will be part of the Board’s discussion and decision-making.