The University of Tübingen is committed to sustainable development through a holistic institutional approach and actively supports the goal of climate-neutral state administration by 2030.
Climate protection and environmental protection concern us all. The university also plays its part in this – and thus fulfills its responsibility to society and future generations. Since 2011, the University of Tübingen has been the first university in Baden-Württemberg to be EMAS-certified. EMAS, short for Eco Management and Audit Scheme, is the EU's seal of approval for environmental management. The university implements various climate and environmental protection measures in an ongoing process.
The university's operational environmental and climate protection is coordinated by Department VIII.3 Environment, Energy, and Climate. This department is responsible for energy management, environmental coordination, and waste management.
As part of the EMAS environmental management system, the environmental coordinator publishes an annual environmental statement containing all measures and relevant consumption figures. This is supplemented by an annual energy report that analyzes the university's energy consumption in more detail.
Construction, energy, and building management
A particular focus is placed on the energy analysis and optimization of university buildings and their use, as there is considerable potential for savings in this area.
Since 2015, the university has been sourcing exclusively green electricity from hydropower. Electricity consumption has already been significantly reduced thanks to the almost complete conversion to energy-saving LED technology. The continuous optimization of heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and sanitary technology remains a key objective.
Biodiversity on campus is also to be increased, for example, by installing nesting boxes or managing green spaces as “Bunte Wiesen”.
Im Fokus der betrieblichen Nachhaltigkeit steht die Mobilität aller Universitätsangehörigen. Die im Jahr 2016 durchgeführte Mobilitätsstudie lieferte bereits erste Erkenntnisse über das Mobilitäts-Verhalten und die Bedürfnisse an der Universität. Seither hat sich einiges getan: An verschiedenen Standorten des Campus wurden Dienstpedelecs zum Verleih für Mitarbeitende bzw. als Ersatz für Mofas angeschafft. Beim Kauf eines Jobtickets für den ÖPNV gibt es einen monatlichen Landeszuschuss.
Die Universität setzt auch weiter auf ökologisches Verhalten ihrer Angehörigen. Eine freiwillige Selbstverpflichtung zur Vermeidung von Kurzstreckenflüge bei Dienstreisen kann unterzeichnet werden.
The focus of operational sustainability is on the mobility of all university members. The mobility study conducted in 2016 already provided initial insights into mobility behavior and needs at the university. A lot has happened since then: Pedelecs have been purchased at various locations on campus for employees to rent or as replacements for mopeds. A monthly state subsidy is available for the purchase of a job ticket for public transport.
The university continues to encourage its members to behave in an environmentally friendly manner. A voluntary commitment to avoid short-haul flights on business trips can be signed.
The “Müllarmes Tübingen” (Low-Waste Tübingen) action alliance promoted the switch from disposable coffee cups to reusable cups with its “Besser bechern” (Better Cups) campaign. The ReCup and Rebowl deposit system has now been introduced in almost all shops in Tübingen.
There is a recycle-reuse shelf at the university's recycling center in Morgenstelle. Items that are still usable can be dropped off there and taken by others. If they do not find a new owner after a few weeks, they are sent for recycling.
The entire university is also equipped with waste separation bins for paper, organic waste, yellow bags, and residual waste. CDs, pens, aluminum, and cell phones are also collected. To reduce waste, paper towels in sanitary facilities are gradually being replaced by electric hand dryers or cloth rolls. In the housekeeping department, only ecological cleaning agents are purchased that do not produce any waste because they are returned to a recycling cycle (“cradle to cradle” products).
Since 2010, the university has been purchasing only recycled paper with the Blue Angel eco-label and has since been recognized multiple times as a multiple winner by the Pro Recycling Paper initiative.
Investments in companies with non-ecological business practices are being reduced, while sustainable investment products are being given greater consideration. In addition, the guidelines for financial investments are being revised to further strengthen the ecological sustainability of investments.
Successes and developments in figures
Water consumption (per capita) fell by approximately 23 percent between 2012 and 2023.
Paper consumption (per capita) fell by approximately 75 percent between 2012 and 2023.
Electricity consumption (per capita) fell by approximately 53 percent between 2012 and 2023.
Total energy consumption fell by more than 16 percent between 2012 and 2023.
Further information and evaluations can be found in the annual EMAS environmental statement.
