Following a whole-institution approach, it is essential to anchor sustainable development in the university structures. Governance - the management and decision making level - plays a pivotal role in this regard. A cornerstone for creating a culture of sustainability at the university is to establish sustainable development in the university's self-concept and to develop a sustainability strategy. Sustainability reporting serves as an instrument for setting goals, reflecting on processes, and evaluating progress (cf. project hoch-n).

In its mission statement, the University of Tübingen commits itself to the maxim of sustainable development. It states that it regards sustainability as an integral part of research and teaching, and it uses the resources at its disposal responsibly and efficiently in research, teaching, and organization.

By appointing a Vice-President for Sustainable Development, the University of Tübingen has ensured that sustainable development is effectively represented at management level. The Vice-Rectorate's responsibilities include driving forward the development of the sustainability strategy, intensifying networking within the university and maintaining dialogue with all university groups and departments.

At the University of Tübingen, the Advisory Board for Sustainable Development strengthens sustainable development at the governance level. The Advisory Board for Sustainable Development currently consists of 25 members from the professoriate, mid-level staff and administration, as well as student representatives. The advisory board formulates recommendations to the rectorate within of a comprehensive sustainability strategy and develops suggestions for its implementation.   

The Competence Center for Sustainable Development (CCSD) is the networking platform for making the activities for sustainable development at the University of Tübingen visible and strengthening them. In doing so, it interlinks the fields of action research, teaching, operations, transfer and governance and contributes to the exchange of knowledge and competences of the actors in these fields. A key focus is the promotion of university and student commitment to sustainable development. For example, with the Innovation Fond  for Sustainable Development, student initiatives that want to realize a project in the field of sustainability can receive funding. In addition, the EMAS concept at the university implements sustainability in everyday university life and operations.