With a joint manifesto, Leiden-Delft-Erasmus students presented their insights from the Thesis Lab “Just Climate Transistion”, to Vera Vos, head of Sustainability & Innovation at the municipality of The Hague and Jeroen Laven, domain manager of Culture, Inclusive Living and Media. In the Haagse Lobby, heart of The Hague, the students shared the conclusions of their theses and engaged in a conversation about what is needed for a climate-just future.
What does climate justice mean for a city like The Hague? "A complex question. But that's what universities love," says Saskia Ruijsink (TU Delft), general coordinator of the Lab. ‘Especially when such a question takes us to places where we can engage in conversation, with municipalities, residents, social initiatives, businesses and other universities.’ Shivant Jhagroe (Leiden University), academic coordinator of the Lab: ‘As a researcher, I think it's important for residents, businesses, policymakers and researchers to learn from each other, especially when it comes to climate justice, a very urgent topic.’
Justice has many faces
Over the past few months, students from different programmes followed a joint, interdisciplinary programme while working on their own thesis, each from their own academic discipline. For instance, student Phone Myant Khant investigated the role of transport in a just transition. A focus on public transport is not only sustainable, but also contributes to important values, such as the importance of sharing things and connecting with each other.
Yazhini Sivaram examined the relationship between climate change and public health. The health sector must be prepared for an increase in infectious diseases, especially in terms of providing information to vulnerable residents. Wisse Herder calls attention to chain liability. The production of solar panels involves gross human rights violations. What role can and should The Hague play in addressing this? That is an important question in her thesis.
One word makes the difference
Involve residents more in policy, many students advised. Climate adaptation can only be equitable if it involves the people most affected. ‘The focus of policy should shift from technical solutions to inclusive planning that takes people's experiences into account,’ said student Tomas ter Reehorst in his research on urban heat.
In these challenging times, it is more important than ever that municipalities use and support academic knowledge.'
- Arjen Kapteijns, councillor for Energy Transition, Mobility and Raw Materials.
"The Hague's overall policy is good, but implementation and accessibility could be better," said Rizkika Zulhijiani. "Just one word in the right language can make the topic of sustainability feel more personal and relevant," wrote Charlotte Purzel. Achraf Taouil mentioned the importance of customisation and communication through key people within neighbourhoods. Diona Shen sees an important role for neighbourhood organisations in grant applications.
Indigenous way of thinking
In addition to analysing many policy documents, reports and legislation, the students used surveys, interviews and meetings with policy staff, residents and organisations. This provided special moments, says Anne de Koster, advisor and coordinator on behalf of the municipality. "In collaboration with the Humanity Hub, the students organised a meeting with Chilean Chautuileo Tranamil, co-founder of the organisation Aralez. She took us through the indigenous way of thinking about our relationship with each other and with the earth," De Koster said.
Another special moment was the focus group discussion with a group of interviewees a special moment. Saskia Ruijsink: "The students organised the meeting together because there was an overlap between the information they were each looking for. Such a meeting provides interesting data, but is also a nice moment for the people being interviewed. In such a group, they are challenged to look at a topic in a different way."
The Lab provided students and coordinators with new perspectives. ‘For example, the TU Delft students had technical solutions that I, as a public administration student, had not thought of,’ said Achraf Taouil. Anne de Koster was pleasantly surprised by the angle on the research on mobility. Saskia Ruijsink was very positive about the research on chain liability, as that topic is still underexposed.
Administrative interest
The manifesto brings together the findings into a clear definition of climate justice, shared principles and priorities. ‘It starts with the recognition that the climate crisis is not just an ecological problem, but that it has a very large and complex social dimension,’ said Phone Myant Khant. Communication, inclusiveness and transparency should be all priorities, the students believe.
The manifesto was received by Vera Vos, head of Sustainability & Innovation, and Jeroen Laven, domain manager of Culture, Inclusive Living and Media. The recommendations come at a time when climate justice is high on the alderman's agenda, Laven said. ‘We promise there will be a follow-up,’ Vos said. Alderman Kapteijns thanked the students in a video message for the collaboration. ‘We are going to read the recommendations with administrative interest,’ he said.
A unique experience that I definitely wouldn't have wanted to miss.'
- Achraf Taouil, Public Administration student
The Hague can be a trailblazer
For the municipality of The Hague, the presentation of theses and the manifesto was a start, said Anne de Koster. "We hope we can get started with this information. That is ultimately why we are doing this. We want to give students a chance, but as a municipality we also want to learn more about the subject and a new way of thinking. Because the policy environment is very different from the academic environment," she said.
Shivant Jhagroe expects that The Hague can be an example for other big cities facing similar issues. "Precisely because there is climate inequality in The Hague, the city can be a forerunner and show how a municipality can implement climate justice policies. A lot is already happening, but still under the radar. We need to get it on the radar, i.e. in policy texts, in future visions, in neighbourhoods. The manifesto has a face. I am proud that the students and the team have achieved that," Jhagroe said.
The other participants, coordinators and the municipality of The Hague also look back with satisfaction. ‘In these challenging times, it is more important than ever that municipalities use and support academic knowledge,’ said Alderman Arjen Kapteijns of Energy Transition, Mobility and Raw Materials.
The Just Climate Transition Thesis Lab is a collaboration between the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability and the municipality of The Hague.
