The university takes a role model function regarding sustainability-oriented action. In the field of action regarding operation & service, a framework and impulses can be set in order to meet this requirement. This includes efforts in the areas of energy and building management, mobility, nutrition and IT.

The University of Tübingen has already been certified with the EMAS environmental management system since 2011. This initiative originated from the student group “Greening the University e.V.”. Regular environmental audits ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation. In addition, efforts are made in the area of energy management as well as waste avoidance and recycling in order to reduce the ecological footprint of the university. Contact persons for this are the team of department 3 for construction, occupational safety and environment. In addition, student initiatives are committed to sustainable practices at the university: For example, the initiative Papierpilz e.V. has contributed to the recycling of one-side printed paper at the university and managed to upcycle this paper to notepads for new users. The transdisciplinary teaching project "Art to stay or Coffee to go" determined the annual consumption of disposable coffee cups and used artistic activities to raise awareness of the issue.