Showcases
In this section, examples of Utrecht University sustainability research are listed. It is a selection of different types of research approaches, illustrating the variety and scope of our scientific programme and its impact on societal issues. This list does not provide a complete overview of all our research topics and will be updated regularly.
STRATEGIES
STRATEGIES is a Horizon Europe funded project that supports Europe’s game industries in realising their potential as drivers of sustainable innovation, contributing to achieving the goals of the European Green Deal and delivering an economy that works for people.
Joost Raessens
Green Mediography
An annotated mediography, i.e. an online repository of green media examples used in processes of environmental communication, epistemic eco-practices and climate action/activism.
Industrial waste heat can boost blue-energy yield
Blue energy, which can be generated by mixing fresh water and salty water, can offer a much higher energy yield if the fresh water is preheated.
René van Roij
Scientists from Utrecht University develop stained-glass panels with solar cells
Inspired by colourful Mondriaan paintings, solar energy researchers have developed 'stained-glass’ panels that can generate electricity.
Wilfried van Sark
Five mini-lectures by Bert Weckhuysen at Universiteit van Nederland
Why should you never eat the chocolate-filled tip of an ice cream cone? Bert Weckhuysen answers this question and more in a number of mini-lectures.
Bert Weckhuysen
More ultra-clean diesel thanks to nano-scale precision catalyst
Researchers at Utrecht University have made catalysts that can be used to produce more extremely clean diesel from more sustainable raw materials.
Jovana Zečević & Krijn de Jong
Himalayan Water Tower
The Himalayas are the water source for more than 25% of the global population. Understanding how much water is available is of crucial importance.
Walter Immerzeel
The Metronome: turning the tide for river experiments
To create reversing tidal flow and sediment transport on scale, Maarten Kleinhans built a twenty by three meters flume tilting back and forth.
Maarten Kleinhans
Global Flood Analyser
This tool shows that river flooding will affect both people and economy, and is the consequence of climate change and increasing economic development.
Marc Bierkens
Guidebook on Flood risk governance in Europe launched
Expanding cities and climate change increase urban flood risk. How can it be managed? An international team of researchers made a step by step guide.
Dries Hegger
"We want to find out exactly how climate influences ice sheets"
Prof. Michiel van den Broeke aims to improve his understanding in the interaction between ice and climate for better sea level rise predictions.
Michiel van den Broeke
The Earth as a source of energy
Utrecht University is exploring the possibility of building the first geothermal power station in Utrecht.
Jan-Diederik van Wees
Utrecht promotes interdisciplinary research into Earth’s crust
Being a part of EPOS, Utrecht University coordinates the digital infrastructure for research into the Earth’s crust in Europe.
Chris Spiers
The Post-Fossil City Contest
An international design contest calling for new visions of the post-fossil future.
Maarten Hajer
UU research on climate change has greatest impact worldwide
Utrecht University’s sustainability research in the field of climate change and ecosystems has the greatest impact worldwide, according to the Times Higher Education.
Piet Hoekstra
Utrecht Science Park pilot for Smart Solar Charging
Utrecht Science Park De Uithof will become one of the five testing grounds for research into Smart Solar Charging.
Utrecht Sustainability Institute
Mapping plastic debris in the ocean
Utrecht University researchers and international colleagues found that plastic floating at the surface is only 1% of all plastic dumped into the sea.
Erik van Sebille
Warm wind melts snow in Antarctica in winter as well
Utrecht glacier researcher Peter Kuipers Munneke combined the results of weather stations and satellite images.
Peter Kuipers Munneke
Breakthrough in debate on recent increase in atmospheric methane
With a computer model, researchers were able to compare the contributions of various sources to the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
Thomas Röckmann
Fluorescent ‘breathalyzer’ makes optimisation of catalysts much easier
Chemists at Utrecht University led by Prof Weckhuysen have developed a test that makes it easier for chemical production processes to become sustainable
Bert Weckhuysen
Calculate the land-use impact of your diet
Agriculture is one of the leading causes of human induced land-use change globally. Our researchers have developed a website to determine the land use of different diets based on ten questions.
Marije Hoff