Transition UGent

Transitie UGent has been around for more than 10 years! For all these years, we have been meeting, enjoying the energy and sense of togetherness, and trying to push things forward. With policy preparation work, with action, with a memorandum, with a Raretijden newspaper, with proposals, with all our might, etc. Enjoy this report.
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Who are we?

Transition UGent is a think tank of committed staff and students, experts and policy makers, dreamers and doers who are all convinced that Ghent University can play an important role in the field of sustainable development. The think tank serves as an open innovation network, in which you can join us in keeping the enthusiasm high, bring new actions and suggestions to the table and stay closely involved in Ghent University's sustainability policy.

'Transition UGent' writes transition plans (climate plan UGent) and monitors the progress

Last year we discovered once again how valuable the Transition UGent network is. Commissioned by the Board of Governors, we are working on a climate plan. For all relevant policy plans, ambitions are set, boundaries defined, and actions formulated. The results are monitored yearly by the Board of Governors and actions are adjusted where necessary. We work aruond CO2-reduction, climate adaptation, biodiversity and circularity. An incredible task, but we could count on many of you: from your expertise, from your engagement, from your experience in the job. It strengthens the message, the credibility, the support.

Meeting of Transition UGent at 29th of June

Where?

Community house De Gang, Ekkergemstraat 211, Gent

When?

29th of June 2026, from 12h to 14h30

What?

For our next meeting, we’ll be guests at the community center De Gang in the Ekkergem neighbourhood, located between the Dunant and Coupure campuses. We’ve come to know our neighbors as key drivers in the transition toward sustainable campus development. Together with them, we’ve created two beautiful green-blue gems, but there’s undoubtedly much more we can achieve!

Program

    • 12.00–12.30: Lunch
    • 12.30–13.15: Three inspiring examples take the floor (NL):
      • Fossil fuel ties
        In recent years, Dutch universities have taken significant steps towards critically examining research collaboration and funding from the fossil fuel industry. But how did they get to this point? Neele van den Bongardt is Managing Director of the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute and acts as a key point of contact and coordinator within VU Amsterdam in the field of sustainability and academic research; she’ll tell us more about the process.
      • How do we make sustainable food the norm? The University of Antwerp has set itself the target that, by 2030, 80 per cent of the meals sold on its campuses will be vegetarian or plant-based. Climate coordinator Josefine Vanhille discusses the steps already taken in the student canteens, the process still well under way with the catering service, the successful outcomes and the stubborn reality.
      • High trust, low tolerance
        An interesting approach to taking the shared use of local spaces, green areas, car parks, and so on, a step further and working together to create a more sustainable environment. It’s a fine principle, but in practice it comes up against so many obstacles. An Keppens, neighbourhood liaison at Artevelde University College, takes us through the story of the neighbourhood campus and shares inspiring real-life examples that show what becomes possible when trust is at the heart of the matter.
    • 13:15–14:30: Join the themed round-table discussions:
      • Fossil Fuel Ties (NL/ENG): Join Neele van den Bongardt from VU University Amsterdam. What can we learn from Dutch policy on fossil fuel ties? What steps can we take here?
      • Sustainable catering (NL/ENG): Together with the UA and Plant-based Universities, we’ll discuss the current campaigns and experiments (Durf plantaardig, Campus V-Cup, the sustainable kitchen at Resto Coupure) and try to help you get started in your department or faculty. And, of course, we’ll consider possible next steps.
      • High trust, low tolerance (NL): An interesting approach to taking the shared use of local spaces, green areas, car parks, etc., a step further and working together with the neighbourhood to create a more sustainable environment. But in practice, it comes up against so many obstacles. What can we learn from Artevelde University College’s ‘Buurtcampus’?
      • Reducing environmental impact in the labs (NL/ENG): SPARKHub is a new, free and open-access platform that supports research teams in making their operations more sustainable: from energy consumption and procurement policy to waste management and the more efficient use of equipment. The initiative is supported by and developed in collaboration with research funders, so it is expected that this can later be utilised in applications for project funding. We therefore find it very interesting to explore this together with researchers and laboratory staff and to provide each other with practical tools to get started.
      • Sustainability in education (NL): Students do not just want to understand sustainability issues and reflect critically on them as part of their education; they also want a more action-oriented approach. However, there is no ready-made formula for complex transition issues, and the time we have in education is often limited. So what can we actually offer students? What role can action-oriented knowledge play? What practical examples already exist that we can use ourselves? How can we address societal issues within our subject? And to what extent is it our role as teachers to support students in developing a practical perspective?
      • Sustainable travel: tips and tricks (NL/ENG): When you want to organise an international train journey, you can sometimes find yourself in a maze. Triptailor has built up a great deal of experience in this area and wants to help you get started. Expect practical tips, inspiring examples and concrete tools that you can use for both your business trips and your holidays!
        • Climate Emotions in Our Education: Are our students truly concerned about the state of the climate? How does this manifest in the classrooms? What do we do when they (or some of them) are deeply affected? During this session, we will discuss climate emotions in higher education and explore what responsibilities and roles educators can assume in the classroom. The discussion will be informed by insights from scientific research on a pedagogical approach to climate emotions, as well as existing best practices for pedagogically valuable ways of addressing climate emotions in education. After all, climate emotions have pedagogical potential: they can prompt reflection, engagement, and action. At the same time, they require a caring approach, especially when students experience feelings of fear or powerlessness.
        • Fossil Fuel Ties: Dutch universities evaluated their academic collaborations with the fossil fuel industry and developed a policy framework for this purpose, which is now widely applied. Can we at Ghent University once again take a pioneering role, just as we did with our Fossil Divestment policy? We have already gathered some great examples and would love to discuss a possible approach with you.
        • Sustainability Roadmap: What can your group do to strengthen and enrich the Sustainability Roadmap? The awards ceremony for the most impressive sustainability initiatives can already serve as inspiration, but there is likely much more potential. Let’s explore together what’s possible and we’d be happy to give you that extra push.

Register

Be sure to register! That way we'll know how much lunch to order.

Would you like to join us in the cockpit?

Would you like to brainstorm about future Transitie UGent meetings? Let us know via duurzaam@ugent.be. Transitie UGent wants to remain a dynamic and innovative concept, and new blood is always welcome! It involves about four meetings per year.

Your expertise and commitment is heartily welcome!

Do you want to join us? Come to one of our transition meetings! Send an email and .