Wageningen University has received the SustainaBul Award 2013, which recognises its progressive attitude towards environmental issues.

Commitment to sustainability & environmental ethos

This scheme is an annual ranking which recognises Dutch universities' commitment to sustainability and environmental ethos.

The motto of SustainaBul is "practice what you preach." Accordingly, educational institutions are ranked based on their sustainability policies, as well as their effectiveness in carrying them through.

The universities are assessed by the student organisation Morgan, as well as brand-comparison website Rank a Brand. The universities must submit an online questionnaire themselves, which addresses topics such as CO2 emissions and recycling, before the assessment panel judges them.

An impressive effort

Wageningen University scored 100% on a number of aspects, but the study notes that there remains room for improvement. In particular, the panel advised Wageningen to look at sectors such as water consumption and the sustainability of food on offer in its university cafeterias.

Fennet van de Wetering, a coordinator at Wageningen University, commended the judges' choice. She notes that "even more important than this first prize, is the fact that we and so many other institutions have taken such steps towards sustainability."

She went on to commend the attitude of students at her university: "students in particular - as they are the new generation - are essential for cooperation in the field of sustainability."

Source: Wageningen University