In 2018, the Freie Universität received the International Sustainable Campus Excellence Award for the second time. On the occasion of the 12^th conference of the International Sustainability Campus Network (ISCN) in Stockholm, the Schools@University for Sustainability + Climate Protection project received an award. The jury recognized, above all, the passion and creativity behind the project. Every year, the International Sustainable Campus Excellence Award honors groundbreaking projects that are exceptional in terms of creativity, originality, and efficiency with regard to buildings, campus management, integration management, science, and student engagement.

In the 2017 UI GreenMetric World University Ranking—which included 619 universities from 75 countries—Freie Universität ranked 26^th worldwide and is the highest ranked German university. GreenMetric is an international ranking that evaluates universities’ sustainability standards. Several indicators, such as location, energy, effect on climate, waste, water, transportation, and education, are included in the valuation.

Freie Universität received its first ISCN Award for the SUSTAIN IT! sustainability initiative in June 2015 at the 9^th International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) conference. In its explanatory statement, the jury stressed that the SUSTAIN IT! initiative enabled all university stakeholders to shape the university sustainably using their own ideas and projects.

The activities of Freie Universität Berlin have already earned it three awards in a competition hosted by ClimateProtectionPartner Berlin, an alliance of 10 Berlin chambers, boards and organizations. The university won the Award for Distinguished Projects of Public Institutions in 2003, 2008, and 2015. Its improvement of buildings’ energy efficiency through comprehensive modernization and optimization measures, Bonus Scheme for Energy Savings, and holistic campus management were recognized in particular.

For its activities related to sustainability, climate protection, and energy efficiency, Freie Universität Berlin has received the Future Award of the Berlin-based energy service provider GASAG multiple times. In the category Architecture and Climate, it received the highest award of 5,000 Euros in both 2010 and 2012. In 2010, the Bonus Scheme, which had been introduced in 2007 to incentivize individuals within the university to save energy, was especially recognized.

In the same category, the Botanic Garden at Freie Universität Berlin came in 3^rd place. The award recognized the plan to build a combined heat and power plant using natural gas. In the category Education and Innovation, the university also came in 3^rd place for the SUSTAIN IT! Initiative. Special emphasis was placed on the University Days Sustainability + Climate Protection, which the initiative organizes regularly.