Organisation

The programme is a collaboration between the Integrity Office, the Climate Action Program and the Delft Energy Initiative. It is coordinated by Ibo van de Poel (Integrity Officer), Herman Russchenberg (pro-vice rector Climate Action Program) and Peter Palensky (chair Delft Energy Initiative).

In addition, an advisory group was formed to support the organisation in the design and execution of the programme. This group consists of staff members with an expertise in collaboration with the fossil fuel industry, in policy processes, and/or in climate action. The members of the advisory group are:

• Andrea Ramirez Ramirez, professor of Low Carbon Systems & Technologies (AS)
• Riccardo Riva, associate professor Geoscience & Remote Sensing (CEG)
• Hans Suijkerbuijk, developer business processes Rotterdam campus / member of moral deliberation chamber on knowledge security
• Behnam Taebi, professor of Energy & Climate Ethics (TPM)
• Femke Vossepoel, associate professor Geoscience & Engineering (CEG)

How did the programme come to be?

In March 2023, the Executive Board asked the Integrity Office to organise a moral deliberation about collaboration with the fossil fuel industry. Responsible collaboration with third parties is an important part of TU Delft’s organizational integrity.

Around the same time, Climate Action Program took the initiative to organize an event at The Green Village about collaboration with the fossil fuel industry. After this event, staff members from the Integrity Office, the Climate Action Program and the Delft Energy Initiative decided to join forces. In addition to the moral deliberation, they came up with two participatory activities: an online consultation for all students and staff, and a series of open dialogues. Using three different methods gives more people the opportunity to participate and leads to a richer understanding of the different perspectives on the topic.

Why focus on the fossil fuel industry?

Achieving the Paris climate goals will require an energy transition, from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives. TU Delft aims to support the energy transition. Up to now, TU Delft has done so in collaboration with fossil fuel companies. The question as to whether this is desirable is frequently raised in the public debate. As TU Delft, we have a responsibility to formulate an answer. We share this responsibility with all universities.

Also within our university, students and staff are concerned about collaborating with the fossil fuel industry. On 10 May 2023, activist group End Fossil occupied the Pulse building on campus to make a statement. At the same time, others fear that severing ties with the fossil fuel industry could have negative consequences for the research that should serve the energy transition. Through this programme, we seek to do justice to everyone concerned about or affected by the issue.

Of course, collaboration with the fossil industry is not the only issue worthy of our attention. We are prioritising it now, and hope to use the lessons we learn to address other complex and urgent issues in the future.