Climate Action

There is no doubt that the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are changing our living environment. Climate change is in our hands. We need to both work on limiting it as much as we can (mitigation), but we will also have to learn to adapt to new circumstances. TU Delft will harness its innovative powers to support the world-wide transition to non-fossil resources, and adaptation of the living environment to the consequences of global warming.

The problem is complex and urgent – but we have no other choice than to be optimistic and use all of our capacity to face the challenge, through our education programs and our research.

For more information, see:

In the Climate Action research programme, we start from four themes we consider to be paramount for future Climate Action:

The TU Delft vision on Climate Action is deeply founded in preceding decades of university wide climate action research. The goal of the Climate action research programme is to build on current strengths and identify the areas where there is a need to strengthen our capacities to keep up our (inter)national reputation as climate action university.

Climate Action News

29 April 2021

1,000 rivers emit nearly 80% of global ocean plastic pollution

1,000 rivers emit nearly 80% of global ocean plastic pollution

A publication in Science Advances sheds new light on where and how much plastic flows into the oceans via rivers.

14 April 2021

TU Delft research partner at solar parking lot in Dronten

TU Delft research partner at solar parking lot in Dronten

A parking lot with solar panels where renewable energy generation, electric charging and energy storage are cleverly integrated. In the Municipality of Dronten, the official opening of a parking lot with 1,100 solar panels is taking place today, which, in combination with a large battery, will make the town hall energy-neutral.

13 April 2021

TU Delft launches large-scale Climate Action Programme

TU Delft launches large-scale Climate Action Programme

For the next ten years TU Delft will allocate 22 million euro to set up and shape an extensive Climate Action Programme, focusing not only on additional investments in research and education but also on improving the sustainability of TU Delft campus.

22 March 2021

Will we soon be able to fly sustainably?

Will we soon be able to fly sustainably?

Last month, a passenger plane flew from Amsterdam to Madrid for the first time, with a mix of ordinary and 500 litres of sustainable synthetic kerosine in the tank. Possibly the first step towards sustainable flying. How is it made from CO2, water and green electricity?

03 March 2021

Researchers invite all inhabitants of the Netherlands to contribute to climate policy

Researchers invite all inhabitants of the Netherlands to contribute to climate policy

What does the Dutch population think about Dutch climate policy? Researchers from TU Delft and Utrecht University invite thousands of Dutch people to contribute their ideas.


Climate Action News

09 January 2024

Student 'Quick Reaction' Team erected for field measurements in extreme weather events

Student 'Quick Reaction' Team erected for field measurements in extreme weather events

06 December 2023

Pivotal moment for humanity as tipping points in Earth systems and society accelerate

Pivotal moment for humanity as tipping points in Earth systems and society accelerate

The report says current global governance is inadequate for the scale of the challenge of accelerating tipping points and makes six key recommendations to change course fast, including coordinated action to trigger positive tipping points.

30 November 2023

The new food waste monitor 'Orbisk' provides insight into food waste at TU Delft

The new food waste monitor 'Orbisk' provides insight into food waste at TU Delft

Since the start of the academic year 2023/2024, the new food waste monitor 'Orbisk' has been integrated in the Aula, within the Foodsquare restaurant. This innovative system monitors the food that is been thrown away. A third of global emissions are attributed to food waste, so reducing food waste has a positive impact on the climate.

30 November 2023

Researchers call for Dutch leading role in global methane monitoring

Researchers call for Dutch leading role in global methane monitoring

At COP28 in Dubai, countries want to reach new agreements to reduce emissions. This requires the identification of emission sources. The Netherlands has extensive experience with satellites that monitor methane emissions. Researchers from SRON, KNMI, TNO and TU Delft see huge methane plumes over landfills and fossil fuel extraction with their current space instrument TROPOMI.

28 November 2023

Seed funding TU Delft climate Action Programme awards 13 researchers

Seed funding TU Delft climate Action Programme awards 13 researchers

For the first half year of 2023, the TU Delft Climate Action Programme has granted 9 applications for the Seed Fund. The researchers come from the faculties CEG, TPM and 3ME.