Universities & fossil fuel industry

We’re excited to share a new publication in PLOS Climate by researchers from Universiteit Leiden and Solid Sustainability Research on the links between Dutch universities and the tobacco industry – and the lessons it offers for ongoing discussions about fossil fuel ties. The article shows that, despite the widespread view that such collaborations are inappropriate, clear policies are often lacking… Read More »Academic publication: What can universities learn from their ties to the tobacco industry?

Unique interactive report reveals nature and extent of fossil fuel industry influence in Dutch higher education Ties between the fossil fuel industry and Dutch universities threaten academic freedom and support the fossil lobby, according to a three-year investigation of the Dutch Mapping Fossil Ties Coalition based on FOI documents and decentralised research. The Mapping Fossil Ties Coalition presents the 68… Read More »The Dutch university: protector of academic freedom or the fossil lobby?

How deep are the fossil fuel industry’s roots in UK universities? Amid a growing movement for academic transparency and accountability, Solid Sustainability Research is inviting students and staff across the UK to find out and take part in an international research effort. ~~~ UPDATE: due to popular demand we will run an online session, 6pm until 8pm on Thursday 27th… Read More »UK workshops: Let’s investigate your university’s fossil ties together!

🎓 Learn how academia is used to delay and distort climate action and policy 🔍 Get involved with mapping fossil ties of your university with Solid Sustainability Research & Climate Accountability Lab (University of Miami) ✊🏽 Get active in the campaigns and actions of People and Planet and the Education Climate Coalition to counter the industry’s influence Pick the day… Read More »Webinar: What is the fossil fuel industry doing at my university?

We’re excited to share our new publication with researchers from Universiteit Leiden, which explores the shifting attitude towards academic collaborations between universities and the tobacco industry in the Netherlands—and the lessons it offers for current discussions about fossil fuel ties. Our study reveals that despite the widespread view that collaborations with the tobacco industry are ‘not done’, there is still… Read More »Academic Collaborations and Public Health: Lessons from Dutch Universities’ Tobacco Industry Partnerships for Fossil Fuel Ties

Building on our research and insights from ongoing discussions about university partnerships with the fossil fuel industry, we, alongside Guus Dix (University of Twente) and Gerrit Schaafsma (Leiden University), have developed a document (see also below) designed for university commissions tasked with evaluating potential collaborations with the fossil fuel sector. This document (first version: September 2024, latest version: April 2025)… Read More »Evaluating academic collaborations with fossil fuel industry: criteria & risk assessment

September 2, 2024 – Higher Education Press Agency (Olmo Linthorst) Utrecht University had pledged not to collaborate with the fossil fuel industry. However, a Utrecht professor is doing so again, raising eyebrows: Is the university ignoring its own rules? This article appeared in several university magazines, we contributed content to it based on our research. “It seems that the university… Read More »Utrecht University: collaboration with BP does not conflict with our climate goals