Sustainability
Sustainability at Bielefeld University
The issue of sustainability is firmly embedded within the rectorate at Bielefeld University. Since the summer semester of 2025, Prof. Dr Dominik Schwarz has held the post of Rectorate Representative for Sustainability. In addition, the chancellor and the vice rectors of the rectorate, as well as many other support departments, continue to contribute to the development and implementation of the sustainability strategy.
Bielefeld University’s sustainability strategy is based on the sustainability mission statement from 2022. It adopts an approach that integrates the various dimensions of sustainability – ecology, economy and social issues – across the university’s different areas: research, study and teaching, and operations.
In this thematic portal, you will find information on current projects and initiatives relating to sustainability at Bielefeld University, on the previous participatory process for developing the provisional sustainability mission statement, on funding opportunities for sustainability-related projects, as well as on contact persons and ways to submit suggestions.
Extension of the application phase for the sustainability award 2026
The Sustainability Award honors outstanding final theses (Bachelor's or Master's theses) whose research subject deals theoretically or practically with the study of sustainable development and/or climate impact (adaptation). The call for proposals explicitly includes theses that deal not only with ecological but also with economic and social aspects of sustainable development and climate change.
The call is explicitly addressed to students of all faculties. The prize will be awarded during the faculty ceremony on graduation day.
The new application deadline is on 15th October 2026.
The prize is endowed with 400 €.
Further information are available here.
Latest news
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08.09.2026 - Der ADFC-Fahrradklima-Test - Jetzt mitmachen!
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15.07.2026 - Start der Bewerbungsphase für den Nachhaltigkeitspreis 2026
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14.07.2026 - Die Bielefelder Bürgermeise – Bielefelder Meisen zwischen Beton, Hitze und Verkehrslärm
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14.07.2026 - Tauschbörsen: Medien-, Kleider- und Pflanzentauschbörse
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14.07.2026 - Campustour AG Bienen
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14.07.2026 - Infostände und Aktionen am Tag der Nachhaltigkeit am 15.07.2026
Courses in the winter semester 2026/2027
Guide to searching for events with a sustainability focus
The electronic course catalogue (ekvv) allows you to search specifically for events related to sustainability for the Individual Supplementary Area. There are two options for doing this. There is the so-called ‘combined search’, which allows you to search for specific keywords such as ‘Nachhaltigkeit’, ‘Sustainability’ or ‘Environment’. You can also filter and search for courses based on the categories set out in Bielefeld University’s mission statement. This can be found under: Individual Subsidiary Subjects – Subject Areas / Individual Subsidiary Subjects in the Bachelor’s programme – electronic course catalogue (ekvv) – Bielefeld University
Listed opposite are individual sustainability-related courses for the winter semester 2026/2027.
Sustainability newsletter
With the Sustainability Newsletter, the Sustainability Office informs you at irregular intervals about current developments in the field of sustainability at Bielefeld University. You will also receive information on internal and external events, funding (e.g. teaching and research funding) and exciting projects from the universities community relating to the topic of sustainability.
Subscribe to the sustainability mailing list to receive the newsletter.
Did you know ...
...that there are Ricoh toner collection boxes and non-Ricoh toner collection boxes in most of the university's copy rooms? In both cases, the collected cartridges are reconditioned and reused after an inspection and only disposed of if they cannot be reconditioned. The respective departments / secretary's offices are responsible for purchasing the Ricoh boxes themselves.
The collection box for the Collection Dragon campaign can be requested by sending an email to abfallwirtschaft@uni-bielefeld.de.
Contact us
- Sustainability Office
Since May 2022, the Sustainability Office has been supporting the various sustainability-related activities at the university.
Opening times: Monday-Thursday 9:00-15:00.
Office: A4-104
Phone: +49 521 106-87965
- Ideas & suggestions
If you would like to clarify any questions or contribute ideas and suggestions, please contact the Sustainability Office (nachhaltigkeitsbuero@uni-bielefeld.de). We will then be happy to arrange an (online) appointment as part of the sustainability consultation hour.
Further information can be found on the Sustainability Consultation Hour page.
- Sustainability newsletter
With the Sustainability Newsletter, the Sustainability Office informs you at irregular intervals about current developments in the field of sustainability at Bielefeld University. You will also receive information on internal and external events, funding (e.g. teaching and research funding) and exciting projects from the universities community relating to the topic of sustainability.
Subscribe to the sustainability mailing list to receive the newsletter.
- Climate protection management
Since September 2022, Climate Protection Management, which is part of the Facility Management (FM) department, has been coordinating the university's climate protection activities and supporting the implementation of political agreements on climate protection at a local level. In addition to preparing and updating the university's greenhouse gas balance, the Climate Protection Management team initiates, monitors and evaluates measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Contact: Roman Immoor, Climate Protection Manager (roman.immoor@uni-bielefeld.de)
