Amber van Veghel obtained her doctorate (PhD) from the University of Aruba and KU Leuven (Belgium). She conducted research on a theme that directly impacts daily life on the islands: food. In her multidisciplinary study, she examined both the environmental impact of food imports and created a systematic overview of food research on the ABC islands.
This topic is highly relevant because food consumption accounts for up to one-third of global $CO_2$ emissions, thereby contributing to climate change. Van Veghel analyzed the entire supply chain—from production to arrival on the islands—and calculated in detail the $CO_2$ emissions from air transport via passenger planes flying from the Netherlands to Aruba. This integrated approach makes her research innovative for both the islands and the academic world.
When looking at the “bigger picture,” we can lower the $CO_2$ emissions of our food consumption by avoiding air-freighted products, meat, and dairy (particularly beef), and products linked to deforestation, such as certain chocolate products and beef from South America. At the same time, there are opportunities to reduce this impact, for instance, by choosing chicken more often instead of beef, or by eating more plant-based foods.
“Precisely because we are so dependent on imports, the choices we make in what we eat—by both residents and visitors—make a big difference,” said Dr. Van Veghel.
Furthermore, Van Veghel was the first to systematically map existing food research on the ABC islands, based on analyses from nine local and international databases. The findings show that the number of studies has grown significantly over the last decade and that the topics are broad: ranging from eating patterns and rainwater harvesting for agriculture to the challenges and opportunities for increased local food production.
Van Veghel started her PhD trajectory in 2020 at KU Leuven, in collaboration with the University of Aruba within the SISSTEM program. She is the second island student to obtain a PhD within this program. Her doctorate was supervised by promoter Prof. Annemie Geeraerd Ameryckx (KU Leuven) and co-promoters Prof. Salys Sultan (University of Aruba) and Dr. Renske Pin (RE-Quest). Between 2020 and 2024, she lived and worked in Aruba, where she also taught. She has since returned to Curaçao, where she continues her work in the field of food and sustainability through her own research and consultancy practice, TCR.
The defense concluded with a standing ovation. Subsequently, her dissertation was presented to the Governor of Aruba. The thesis is available digitally for free and can be borrowed via the libraries of the University of Aruba and the National Library of Aruba. It will soon be available in Bonaire and Curaçao.
Interested parties can further explore the research during presentations on May 11 at the University of Curaçao and on June 17 during the Dutch Caribbean Research Week at the University of Aruba.
