We define the fossil fuel industry as companies that engage in the exploration, extraction and exploitation of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and gas. Companies that support the fossil fuel industry, such as banks and insurance companies, do not fall under the definition as applied in this procedure

Leiden University decided in 2023 to look more critically at new collaborations with the fossil fuel industry, and to be completely transparent about them. In August 2023 we published a list of current research collaborations with the fossil fuel industry. As this is an important issue both within and outside the university, in September 2023 we held a debate at the university with a large group of staff and students. 

In 2024 the university issued a statement setting out basic principles for collaboration with the fossil fuel industry. These basic principles were further developed during 2024 to produce the Procedure for Fossil Fuel Collaboration. This process included consultation with staff and students with a wide range of knowledge about climate change and the energy transition. The statement and the procedure were adopted by the Executive Board, after consulting and receiving input from the staff and student participation bodies.

The Procedure for Fossil Fuel Collaboration applies to research projects where funding or a contribution in kind is received from a company in the fossil fuel industry to conduct research. These can be either bilateral projects or broader projects, such as consortia.

This procedure does not apply to educational activities carried out in collaboration with the fossil fuel industry, such as business fairs, guest lectures and alumni meetings, or activities with study associations. Nevertheless, the basic principle is that here, too, it is essential to reflect critically on the added value of collaborations with the fossil fuel industry.

In 2016 the European Union, including the Netherlands, signed the Paris Agreement. The agreement aims to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Agreements have been made at the European level to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The EU member states have agreed that they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

The EU wants to be climate neutral by 2050. This means net zero greenhouse gas emissions by that time. The target of the Netherlands is to reduce its CO₂ emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared with 1990. To compensate for any setbacks, the government is aiming for a higher target in practice, amounting to approximately 60%. All sectors are being asked for an extra contribution. The size of this contribution is based on the possibilities within the sectors to reduce their CO₂ emissions more rapidly up to 2030.

You should consult the list of oil and gas companies and the list of coal companies to see whether the company is classified according to the procedure as part of the fossil fuel industry. If a company is not on the list, but there’s some doubt about whether it could still be classified as a fossil fuel company, you can contact the Advice Desk; for example, in the case of subsidiary companies, joint ventures, foundations, funds and interest organisations.

The procedure only applies to new collaborations with the fossil fuel industry. Current collaborations can be finished without the intervention of the Advice Desk or the committee. If you have any questions about current collaborations with the fossil fuel industry, you’re welcome to contact the Advice Desk.

Consult the list to see whether the company is assessed as aligned with the Paris Agreement (‘Paris-aligned’) according to the procedure.

If you have any questions about collaboration with the fossil fuel industry, you should contact the Fossil Fuel Collaboration Advice Desk, which serves as a hub for questions and advice. In addition to organising and supporting (secretariat) the Fossil Fuel Collaboration Committee, the Advice Desk brings together expertise in the field of the fossil fuel industry and engages in further development of policy relating to this industry.

Developments are also taking place in the areas of knowledge security and ethical aspects relating to other issues. It is important to the university that staff members should know clearly where to turn if they have a question or a specific case, and that procedures for the three themes are linked as closely as possible.

In 2025 the temporary Committee for Assessing Ethical Aspects of Partnerships will issue advice on an overarching Sensitive Collaborations Committee, which in the future will include the Knowledge Security Committee and the Fossil Fuel Collaboration Committee, and the procedure for this.