This article discusses how far (and by what practical means) the growing global trend for universities to commit to sustainable development has spread across German academia. Following this introduction, part 2 will outline the political framework of the sustainability discourse in German higher education. Part 3 will emphasise the integration of sustainability principles into universities' operational practices and institutional missions through teaching and research. Part 4 discusses Eco-Audits for universities as a promising step towards sustainability. That the commitment to becoming a sustainable institution is not without its challenges is described in the final section, part 5, by a case study of the University of Luneburg. (Contains 1 note and 2 tables.)