For a Future Worth Living - Sustainability at the University of Bonn
Quarterly Campaign Months
To promote a culture of sustainability, the University of Bonn organizes campaign months once every quarter. All members of the university are invited to participate in the diverse offers around the topics of sustainability.




News in the field of sustainability
Team N goes Instagram!
We recently launched the official Instagram account @nachhaltige_unibonn dedicated to all things sustainability at the University of Bonn.
Follow us to find out more!
Ideas competition
All students are invited to take part in our ideas competition regarding sustainable mobility at the University of Bonn.
Share your vision until October 31,2023 and win great prizes!
Lecture series Sustainability—Challenges and Opportunities of Sustainable Transformation
Organized by the Faculty of Arts for winter semester 2023/24, this lecture series introduces students to sustainability problems in key areas. All University of Bonn students are welcome to attend.
More information is available on BASIS.
The University of Bonn has achieved very good results in the latest QS Sustainability Rankings, coming an excellent sixth in Germany in the overall scoring and 138th among the 1,400 or so global universities that were evaluated. Compiled by analysts at Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the rankings assess the work that universities are doing to tackle the most urgent environmental and social problems facing the world.
On November 15 and 16, the Universitätsclub Bonn hosted talks, debates and networking all about people’s wants and needs in the context of finite resources.
UNESCO and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) have presented the University Bonn with an award in recognition of its exceptional commitment to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
The University took part in the Papieratlas competition for the first time in 2023, which is about creating transparency regarding the procurement of recycled paper.
BOOST—the University’s very own sustainability program
Participation, networking and student involvement are key to implementing the Bonn Program for Sustainable Transformation (BOOST).
Wanted: Sustainable ideas
We are seeking ideas to increase sustainability. All University members are encouraged to engage in this process by submitting their ideas via e-mail.
A special budget will fund projects designed for example, to achieve sustainable reductions in energy, material and water consumption and reduce the volume of wastewater, exhaust air and waste generated by University operations. Funding will also be granted to proposals designed to protect the environment and which seek to influence the behavior of University members (e.g. awareness raising and information campaigns). Update! We are pleased to announce that applications from the University Hospital Bonn will also be accepted, effective immediately.
Sustainability...

...in research
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in research. Whether it involves construction materials, fuels, sustainability in horticulture or sustainability in development policy, our researchers are working on projects with a wide range of solution-oriented and interdisciplinary approaches.

...in teaching
Issues connected with sustainability and sustainability research also play a key role in teaching. As well as covering sustainability issues through its content, this teaching also educates people in sustainable development through its methodology in formats with a practical, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary focus.

...in operations
Our University needs resources in order to operate. Our commitment to sustainability, particularly in terms of our energy supply, building work, waste management, mobility and procurement, helps minimize the negative impact on the environment.
More information is currently being put together and will be published soon.
A unique governance structure
As a university with Excellence status, the University of Bonn is doing its bit for sustainable transformation processes.
Electrified: 100 % green electricity
Since November 1, 2019, the electrical sockets in the University of Bonn issue only electricity generated from ecological or renewable energy sources, thereby effecting a considerable reduction in the carbon footprint of the University.
Award: The University of Bonn is a “Fair Trade University”
2020 saw the University of Bonn advance to the status of a “Fair Trade University”.
Sustainability criteria in procurement
The University of Bonn puts an emphasis on the procurement of products with a positive social and environmental impact. Sustainability criteria were included for procurement processes at the university and recommendations for action were given.