Introductory Remarks

Implementing our Sustainability Strategy is a collective responsibility that calls on everyone who researches, teaches, learns, and works at RWTH. Our ambitious goals are designed to position the University for long-term success and deepen our sustainability efforts. To this end, RWTH is taking the lead in driving meaningful change from within. As a united community, we are advancing the strategic and structural integration of sustainability across all levels of the University. By embracing personal responsibility, we are shaping the future of our operations. We strive to raise awareness and empower our students to think and act for a brighter future for all. RWTH’s research contributes to the sustainable transformation of society. As a university, we are also committed to ensuring that sustainability is actively pursued and supported with the necessary resources—even beyond our institutional boundaries.

Report Structure

When the Senate adopted the Sustainability Strategy in December 2023, RWTH established a comprehensive framework for sustainable development that spans governance, research, teaching and learning, and operations. Our 55 objectives and over 160 associated measures set a clear path toward a more sustainable University, with target milestones in 2025, 2028, and 2030. We use 86 performance indicators to monitor our progress and make data-driven adjustments as needed along the way. This strategy is the result of a collaborative, inclusive process involving input from the entire University community.

RWTH Aachen University has been publishing sustainability reports and performance metrics since 2022. With the introduction of our Sustainability Strategy, we also updated our reporting approach. Beginning in 2026, these reports will focus on the strategy’s priorities, highlighting both the measures we have implemented and our progress toward key goals. In addition to sharing highlights from major sustainability projects, a central feature of the report is the ongoing action and indicator update, which is refreshed regularly. Unless otherwise noted, the status of each measure reflects the latest annual updates, most recently collected in March 2025.

Goals and Impact

This report is designed to showcase RWTH’s sustainable development efforts and to transparently share our progress. Our third Sustainability Report builds on the foundation of our first, continuing our commitment to advancing RWTH’s ecological, economic, and societal impact.

How to Cite This Report
RWTH Aachen University (2026). “3rd Sustainability Report of RWTH Aachen University.”
The Sustainability Report is available in German and English.