World's most sustainable university
According to the GreenMetric ranking, WUR has been world’s most sustainable university for no less than eight years. This list is drawn up based on the way scientific institutions all over the world handle issues like energy, climate, waste, transport, water, biodiversity and infrastructure. Sustainability in education and research is likewise assessed. We are proud of this title, and work hard to maintain it every day. After all, reaching the top is an achievement, but staying number one may be an even greater challenge.
Challenge yourself, change the future
Being a student at Wageningen University & Research means you encounter the theme of sustainability in the lecture halls every day. It is a common thread in all of our programmes. There is a good reason why we use the motto ‘Challenge yourself, change the future’. The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (SDGs) play a key role in our educational activities. Not only are the SDGs integrated into many of our BSc and MSc programmes, they also feature in our postgraduate and online education.
Practice what you preach
‘Practice what you preach’; our Campus is similarly ecological and green, with sustainable buildings and facilities. It features natural gardens with rare plants and all sorts of insects, birds, mushrooms and bats. On top of that, it is a pleasant place to work and study. We prioritise the vitality of employees and students, and we carefully consider the healthiness of the food on offer in the campus restaurants. We avoid food waste where we can.
Nature-Positive University
In 2023, WUR joined the Nature-Positive Universities Alliance. This is a global network of over five-hundred higher-education institutions with the joint objective of improving nature at all campuses, among other things. For example, this means that any damage resulting from WUR activities should be avoided or restored.