Climate Team Open Day

During this session, we will examine the University of Antwerp's AI policy from a sustainability perspective. What do we know today about the impact of AI on energy, water and raw materials? We will bring together speakers with expertise for a critical reflection with UAntwerp policy experts to engage in dialogue and develop concrete tools for UAntwerp practice.

From the basic AI knowledge that UAntwerp expects from students and staff to formal guidelines and policy frameworks: how can sustainability aspects be given an appropriate role?

​LEAF stands for Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework. This framework was designed by University College London to help laboratories improve their sustainability by using resources such as energy, water, waste and materials more efficiently. It offers a structured approach for laboratories to reduce their environmental impact while improving operational efficiency, for example by optimising cold storage or freezer storage, making more efficient use of raw materials and raising awareness among laboratory users. Anne Nelisen, research policy officer for the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University, explains how Utrecht University is working on the LEAF programme.

In all disciplines, students and supervisors can choose to link group work, assignments or master's thesis research to specific questions from the Climate Action Plan. Applied research questions with a focus on an exciting UAntwerp application often turn out to be substantively rich cases, easy to research, and directly useful for strengthening and refining the university's sustainability policy.

We briefly explain our ambitions and ideas, and then let students and supervisors talk about their experiences with master's theses that have already had a tangible impact on university policy. The aim is to inspire and motivate students for a new batch of topics in the coming academic year.

Ambitious goals need a robust plan. A roadmap with a clear timeline and dedicated budgets to reach our climate goals is currently lacking at our university. What can we learn from other universities that are facing similar challenges?

Panel conversation with: Jeroen Hutten, manager duurzaamheid aan de UUtrecht, Riet Van de Velde, hoofd team Duurzaamheid UGent and other names will be announced soon. Moderator: Vincent Bellinkx.

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We conclude with an interactive system thinking workshop, led by Yves De Weerdt (VITO). How do you change a system of which you yourself are a part? We explore the perspective that sustainable transition requires a shift in the way we look, act and feel. Using concrete exercises, we will tackle key questions such as: are we asking the right questions, where is the real leverage for action, and what is our own role within the whole? The workshop does not offer ready-made answers, but sharpens the system insight needed to initiate change in a targeted and supported manner.