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Frans Nikkels

Shaping2030 presentation: prelude to a more biodiverse campus

Sustainability is an important pillar at the University of Twente. The theme has been prominently embedded in Shaping2030, the new UT (draft) mission, vision and strategy - currently in the final decision phase. The celebratory handover of Shaping2030 to the University Council chairman Herbert Wormeester on 6 November was the perfect occasion for a first glimpse.

As many as 2030 bags of flower seeds were distributed to students and employees in the run-up to the celebratory handover, a symbolic contribution to the biodiversity of the campus. In addition, the President of the Board Victor van der Chijs and professor Albert van den Berg planted the first tree as part of the Sustainable Scientist Initiative, with the opportunity for attending employees to scatter their seeds across the green space: laying the foundation for a colourful and diverse land cover in springtime.

Biodiversity - a necessity

Biodiversity in both flora and fauna reduces the vulnerability of the natural environment and the susceptibility to pests and other undesirable developments. For example, there is a link between limited biodiversity and the rise of the oak processionary caterpillar, with plenty of room for expansion due to a lack of natural counterbalance, with all associated consequences as a result. Krinkels, maintenance contractors to the UT, are working alongside the Campus & Facility Management department on enhancing campus biodiversity.

Sustainable Scientist Initiative

Albert van den Berg, together with colleagues, is the initiator of the Sustainable Scientist Initiative. They use the initiative to develop specific actions intended to contribute to a more sustainable way of working. One of the measures is the reduction of the number of flight movements. A significant reduction in CO2 emissions should be achieved by putting a halt to non-essential travel plus not using aircraft as the mode of transport for business trips within a 800-kilometer radius. Compensating initiatives are implemented to allow for flights that are necessary to carry out the work properly, such as the planting of trees. The first, a silver maple, was given a special spot near the newly completed P3 parking facility, just north of Horsttoren. The silver maple is a tree species that absorbs relatively high levels of CO2. As an aside, this parking facility has been jointed with olivine sand, a mineral sand that helps to bind CO2 from the air. The paving consists of cementless concrete paving stones that emit less CO2 during production.