Recap TUM Sustainability Day 2026
At the TUM Sustainability Day 2026, students, researchers, TUM staff, and international partners came together at the Garching research campus to present innovative solutions for a sustainable future. More than 7,000 visitors on site and around 1,000 livestream viewers experienced how sustainable transformation can be actively shaped through collaboration, research, and international networking across more than 120 booths and over 60 panels, workshops, and keynotes.
Held every two years, the TUM Sustainability Day connects academia, industry, and society while making sustainability tangible and accessible — fully in line with its motto: We walk the talk.
Fair of Opportunities
More than 120 sustainability initiatives from studies, research and teaching, campus operations, student engagement, and associated partners showcased how sustainability is being put into practice at TUM and beyond — featuring solar-powered vehicles, interactive formats on renewable energy and urban gardening, robotics sprints, campus tours on biodiversity and sustainable energy systems, and much more.
Introductory Event
During the opening event, TUM President Thomas F. Hofmann and Prof. Werner Lang, Vice President for Sustainable Transformation, emphasized the importance of international collaboration for achieving a successful sustainable transformation. In her keynote, guest speaker Elizabeth Tolu Ojo, Dean of the African Leadership University, spoke about structural barriers, the lack of diversity in leadership positions, and the importance of inclusive and globally balanced teams for developing sustainable solutions.
In the subsequent TUM panel discussion, “Driving Sustainability Transformation at TUM,” students and staff discussed progress and future perspectives of sustainability transformation at TUM.
Impulse programm
A diverse and interactive program across nine thematic areas — ranging from Education & Research, Health, Life on Earth & Biotechnology, and Entrepreneurship to Circularity & Awareness, Global Engagement, Built Environment, Energy, and Mobility — featured more than 60 hands-on workshops, guided tours, panel discussions, and keynotes by renowned experts from academia and industry.
Finale Global Sustainability Challenge
At the international finale, held as part of the TUM Sustainability Day 2026, 40 teams from five world regions presented their ideas to an international jury. The winning team from TUM impressed with a solar-powered cooling system for remote regions and a concept for predicting bark beetle infestations, prevailing against more than 3,500 participants from 91 countries.
Further information and recordings are available online.
Closing Event with Sara Nuru and Samantha Cristoforetti
At the closing event, organized in cooperation with the TUM Speakers Series, social entrepreneur Sara Nuru and ESA astronaut and TUM alumna Samantha Cristoforetti shared exclusive insights into social entrepreneurship and the future of European space exploration.
As part of her visit, Samantha Cristoforetti was also honored by TUM President Thomas F. Hofmann on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of her graduation from TUM.
Photo Gallery
TUM panel discussion with Prof. Werner Lang (VP Sustainable Transformation), students, and staff on sustainable transformation at TUM
Photo Credit: Astrid Eckert
Fair of Opportunities with more than 120 booths
Photo Credit: Astrid Eckert / TUM
TUM President Thomas F. Hofmann speaking during the introductory session
Photo credit: Fabian Vogl
Student Club RoboTUM
Photo Credit: Fabian Vogl
TUM President Thomas F. Hofmann together with a school class at the Mobility Court
Photo credit: Fabian Vogl
Chair of Hydrogeology Booth at the Fair of Opportunities
Photo Credit: Fabian Vogl
Mobility Court at the Fair of Opportunities
Photo Credit: Fabian Vogl
Fair of Opportunities
Photo Credit: TUM Campus Straubing
Booth at the Fair of Opportunities.
Photo Credit: Astrid Eckert
Main Stage with Prof. Werner Lang (VP Sustainable Transformation)
Photo Credit: Fabian Vogl
“Brezn & Beer” – Open bar and Networking
Photo Credit: Fabian Vogl
Prof. Claudia Peus (EVP Talent Management & Diversity) and Dr. Claudine Perlet discuss the transition toward regenerative business through learning and new leadership.
Photo Credit: Astrid Eckert
Food truck outside
Photo Credit: Fabian Vogl
TUM Sustainability Office and TUM Green Offices
Photo Credit: Fabian Vogl
Global Sustainability Challenge Finale: Winning Teams
Photo Credit: Astrid Eckert
TUM Sustainability Day 2024
On June 12th, 2024 over 150 initiatives from all areas of sustainability presented themselves at the TUM Sustainability Day.
From student initiatives to research groups and associated partners of TUM - everyone was involved!
With almost 5000 visitors, our “Sustainability Festival” was a huge success! The large number of participants shows the commitment and motivation behind the resources of our entire university community.
TUM Sustainability Day 2022
Whether in research, teaching or entrepreneurship, there were many sustainability topics to discover at TUM's first Sustainability Day. We invited students, employees, alumni and anyone who wanted to learn more about sustainability at TUM to network and get involved at events at all of the university's locations.
The Sustainability Day accompanies TUM's transformation into a more sustainable university. On this day, the TUM Sustainable Futures Strategy 2030 has been presented publicly for the first time. It charts our common path to a sustainable future - with specific and tangible measures.
Contact
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