31 March is Open Day at the UAntwerp Climate Team
How do we translate robust science into concrete action within the university?
During the Open Day, we bring together researchers, lecturers, students and administrative and technical staff around one shared ambition: an ambitious, well-founded transition to a sustainable, climate-neutral and climate-resilient university.
This community day combines state-of-the-art scientific insights with their concrete application at our university. Through interactive sessions, we will explore themes such as AI and sustainability, climate action in scientific laboratories, master's theses with tangible impact, and the first steps towards a real roadmap towards a climate-neutral UAntwerp. We will conclude with a plenary, hands-on workshop on systems thinking.
The Open Day is intended for anyone who wants to help build a strong, critically grounded climate and sustainability approach within our institution — across faculties, disciplines, and roles.
- Date: 31 March 2026
- Time: join us at 11:00, 13:45 or 15:00 (or for the entire day of course)
- Location: Campus Drie Eiken
- Language: English
Detailed programme
- 10:45 – Welcome with coffee
- 11:00 – Introduction
- 11:30 – Break-out sessions (Choose 1)
- Sustainability and AI
- LEAF & efficiency of wet labs
- 12:45 – Lunch
- 13:45 – Break-out session
- Roadmap towards a climate neutral university
- 15:00 – Plenary, interactive workshop on systems thinking (Yves De Weerdt - VITO)
Would you like to connect with like-minded individuals, forge new partnerships, and contribute to the ongoing conversation on sustainability? We look forward to meeting you!
Breakout session 1: Sustainability and AI
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?
We will begin with a sharp keynote by Prof. dr. Erik Mannens (sustainable-ai.be), who will provide a concise introduction to the broader picture of AI sustainability, highlighting the energy footprint and resource implications of current AI technologies.His presentation will be followed by a response from Koen Pepermans, AI policy lead at UAntwerpen, who will focus on the needs and direction of the AI policy framework currently under development at UAntwerp. In this part, we aim for maximum practical relevance: how can the university, as an institution, actively take up its role in shaping responsible and sustainable AI use? The session will then open to a Q&A with the audience, encouraging direct exchange and reflection. We conclude with a wrap-up on how we will move forward with these insights and how they will be integrated into our next steps as a university.
Breakout session 2: LEAF at Universiteit Utrecht – lessons learned & best practices
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 and Iris Bos research policy officers for the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University, explain how Utrecht University is working on the LEAF programme.
Breakout session 3: Roadmap towards a climate neutral university
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, sustainability manager at UUtrecht, Sindy Harks Head Sustainability Office TU Eindhoven and Riet Van de Velde, sustainability coordinator UGent. Moderator: Vincent Bellinkx, UAntwerpen.
System thinking workshop (Yves De Weerdt)
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.