The Economic Faculty association Rotterdam (EFR) has reduced and offset its footprint to such an extent that the association is now fully CO2 neutral. And that is a first for Rotterdam and the Netherlands a study association has been completely CO2-neutral. ‘It feels a bit like a now or never situation, so we did everything we could to make this happen’, says Matti Tielrooij, Sustainability, Inclusion and Diversity Officer at EFR.
In 2021 EFR organised its biggest event, the EFR Inspiration Days, completely carbon neutral. Simultaneously with the COP25 report came the realisation that carbon neutral events were not enough. ‘That is when we decided that the entire EFR had to become CO2 neutral, including our work in the office and our travel’, Tielrooij says.
Train pride and vegetarian events
Most of the gains are made by taking the train or bus for two of the association's trips abroad, rather than flying. In addition, all food served at events is now vegetarian by default. With each new publication, the impact on the environment is examined as standard and the most sustainable option is chosen. Attention is also paid to waste and recycling: ‘Obsolete goodies that we would have thrown away before are now displayed next to the office and free for everyone to take.’
Compensate for emissions
All the emissions that EFR is ultimately unable to reduce have been calculated and offset by investing in projects. Such as the preservation of forests in Brazil and the construction of small-scale wind farms in India. According to Tielrooij the hardest thing to tackle is for example the footprint of the EFR office in G Building, which is not the most modern or economical building.
Example for members
It has been a tough job but fortunately EFR received help from partner Deloitte: ‘Without them, it would have been a lot more difficult.’ The work that has now been put in will pay off in the years to come: The next boards will have relatively little work on this. Tielrooij concludes: ‘Although we realise that this is not a complete solution to the climate crisis, we want to set an example to our members and above all inspire and encourage them and other associations to reduce their carbon footprint!’
- More information
For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media & Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics: rdegroot@ese.eur.nl, +31 6 53 641 846.