DGNB – German Sustainable Building Council

NEWS

22 February 2023
Circular Economy Taxonomy Study: buildings do not meet EU requirements
The property industry is not prepared for the transformation to a circular economy as mandated by the European Union. This was the outcome of a recent study conducted by the DGNB in collaboration with European partners. Based on actual construction projects, the study examined the market-readiness of the circular economy criteria proposed in the EU taxonomy. Its conclusion: not a single project could be considered taxonomy-aligned. Two aspects that proved particularly problematic were the reuse of material content and the use of recyclates. There was also insufficient information and a lack of circular construction methods.
22 November 2022
DGNB reaches milestone with more than 2000 registered members
More and more companies in the building and property industry are actively committed to improving sustainability. Recently, the 2000th organisation elected to become a member of the DGNB, thus taking the number of new members welcomed on board by the non-profit association to more than 500 in this year alone. This tremendously positive development is also reflected in all other areas of the DGNB network. For example, many DGNB Academy courses have been fully booked for months, and there have been record registrations for DGNB certification. By the end of 2023, the 10,000th DGNB certificate will have been awarded.
7 October 2022
Market feedback from testing the proposed Circular Economy EU-Taxonomy Technical Screening Criteria for Buildings
In March 2022, the EU Sustainable Finance Platform proposed taxonomy screening criteria for new construction and renovation of buildings that contribute to the circular economy. To evaluate the marketability of the proposed technical screening criteria, a study consortium consisting of the DGNB, as well as seven other Sustainable Building Councils and CPEA launched a joint study. At a roundtable on 7 October 2022, the study consortium presented a first interim report with recommendations to representatives of the European Commission and of the Platform on Sustainable Finance so these can be taken into account in the optimisation of the criteria. The final report is planned for January 2023.
20 September 2022
DGNB offers sustainable procurement tools as part of EU project
Following an initiative lasting three years, the EU-funded LIFE Level(s) project reaches completion in late September. Having played a central role in the project, the DGNB is making the results available through its website, offering both planning and procurement tools with emphasis on life cycle factors for use with construction projects. In addition, tools have been developed to provide help with bringing different certification systems, such as the DGNB system, into harmony with the European Level(s) framework. The latter framework aims to create a common language and methodology for reporting the sustainability of buildings in Europe.
5 July 2022
Johannes Kreißig elected to the Board of Directors of the World Green Building Council
Johannes Kreißig, CEO of the DGNB and DGNB GmbH, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) for the next two years. The WorldGBC is the global umbrella organisation for sustainable building, which is committed to transforming the construction and real estate industry towards more sustainability.
20 April 2022
Call for Participation - Study on the Circular Economy EU Taxonomy
In March 2022, the Sustainable Finance Platform proposed taxonomy screening criteria for new construction and renovated buildings that contribute to a circular economy. In order to transition the proposed technical screening criteria into a functioning system at the very core of a future-proof European economy, the DGNB alongside seven other GBCs and CPEA are planning to carry out a study with the goal of evaluating the marketability of the proposed "EU Taxonomy Screening Criteria for Circular Economy" for construction and real estate activities. We therefore invite financial institutions, property owners and investors to join this unique multi-stakeholder project.
25 March 2022
The value of architecture in the context of the EU Taxonomy
In order to capitalise on the opportunities the EU Taxonomy offers for built environment professionals, the Climate Positive Europe Alliance (CPEA) and the Architects' Council of Europe have published a slide deck, that explains the EU Taxonomy and shows how it creates opportunities for sustainable architectural design, mapping design elements against existing Taxonomy criteria. The publication is available for download as a free set of slides on the CPEA website. The DGNB is a founding member of CPEA.
16 March 2022
A joint statement from DGNB and ÖGNI
Neither DGNB nor ÖGNI had significant business activities in Russia in the past. Nevertheless, we have decided to take action due to Russia's military aggression. With immediate effect, all our activities in Russia will be suspended until further notice. No more building certifications will be carried out in the country and no accreditations will be issued to auditors from Russia. We are already setting the course for the Ukrainian Green Building Council to join the European DGNB family. We want to make our contribution to the sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine after this senseless and worthless war.
3 March 2022
#StandwithUkraine
What is currently happening in Ukraine leaves us speechless. It is the complete opposite of everything we stand for and advocate as the DGNB. The destruction of the existing instead of the creation of foundations for a present and future worth living. As the largest European Green Building Council and together with our partner organisations in Austria, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland and Croatia, we believe in the power of community, which must always be based on liberal, democratic values. In this respect, we too would like to express our deep compassion with all those who are currently experiencing the worst hours and days. Let us hope that the madness will soon come to an end!
17 November 2021
Winners of the Green Solutions Awards 2020/21 announced
The Green Solutions Awards ceremony took place in Glasgow on Wednesday, 10 November 2021. The winners were selected across eight categories from a pool of 192 entries from 25 countries. A further 16 projects received a special mention from the jury, which is made up of sustainable construction experts from around the world. The top prize in the Sustainable Infrastructure category went to the Mehr.Wert.Pavillon in Heilbronn, which triumphed over a variety of international entries.
17 November 2021
Building Sense Now Global Award goes to Prof. Dr Anupama Kundoo
The Building Sense Now Global Award was presented on 11 November 2021 at a special digital awards ceremony. The winner of this year's award was Prof. Dr. Anupama Kundoo. A multiple award-winning architect from India, Kundoo has already completed more than 100 projects through her offices in Pondicherry and Berlin, most of them in India. She also holds a professorship in structural design at Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.
6 October 2021
For more sustainability in building across Europe: DGNB launches partnership in Croatia
The DGNB and the Croatia Green Building Council (CGBC) signed a partnership agreement this week in Zagreb. The focus is on adapting the DGNB certification system to local requirements in Croatia. In addition, CGBC will act as the certification body for local projects in the future. The two non-profit organisations also work closely together in the training of experts for sustainable building. After Denmark, Austria, Switzerland and Spain, Croatia is the fifth European country in which the DGNB is working strategically with a system partner.
23 July 2021
DGNB and European partners announce new ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy in the real estate industry
Financial market stakeholders, property developers and the owners of existing buildings can now have the conformity of properties audited by the DGNB according to the requirements of the EU taxonomy. The new ESG verification service, which is being offered collaboratively by partners in the Climate Positive Europe Alliance (CPEA), can be used by companies for individual buildings or entire portfolios. The service covers three areas: new construction, renovation, and acquisition and ownership. Audits can be carried out concurrently or independently during DGNB certification.
6 July 2021
Building Sense Now and MISEREOR embark on knowledge-sharing partnership
The global Building Sense Now initiative has joined forces with MISEREOR, the German Catholic Bishops' Organisation for Development Cooperation, to work on common projects. The partners' aim is to offer access to country-specific building expertise – not only in line with climate-friendly and culturally sensitive practice, but also so that ideas can be implemented directly worldwide. In specific terms, the plan is to organise a series of digital events looking at actual examples from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. The curtain will be raised on the first free Master Class on 15 July 2021. Furthermore, submissions for the Building Sense Now Global Awards can still be received until the end of August.

DGNB International Newsletter

The DGNB International Newsletter contains everything you need to know about sustainable building.

Our newsletter is your peek behind the sustainable scenes at the German Sustainable Building Council with exclusive sustainability news, information about the latest news regarding the DGNB Certification System and the DGNB Academy. Subscribe here.

About the DGNB

The DGNB – German Sustainable Building Council was founded in 2007 by 16 initiators from a variety of specialist backgrounds in the construction and property industry who wanted to do more to promote sustainable building in the future.

A registered association, the DGNB currently has around 2,000 members throughout the world. Our members represent industry at all stages of the construction and real estate value chain, from architects to planners, property developers, producers of building materials, investors, scientists and the authorities, all of whom provide input to the DGNB with their comprehensive know-how and experience.

In its capacity as a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, the DGNB considers itself bound by a duty to serve society for the general good. Our aspiration is to raise public awareness of the necessity of sustainable building and, above all, to demonstrate that it is indeed achievable.

Becoming a member

At the DGNB, the door is open to everyone interested in investing time and effort into sustainability, although for us, sustainable building is not just about an environmental impact. We're also driven by issues beyond the current economic horizon, thinking about quality of life and the welfare of people. Being a member of the DGNB and volunteering to work with us provides tangible evidence to others of your resolve to take responsibility – something that's not only noticed by your organisation but also by society in general. Join us and become a member of a strong community of thinkers and pioneering doers.

DGNB System

In 2009 the DGNB System was developed. The certification system offers a planning and optimisation tool for evaluating sustainable buildings and urban districts. It was developed to help organisations enhance the tangible sustainability of construction projects.
The DGNB System is based on the concept of holistic sustainability, placing equal emphasis on the environment, people and commercial viability. It is used worldwide and is considered the most advanced of its kind. With methods such as the life cycle assessment, DGNB remains a pioneer among global certification systems.

DGNB Academy

The DGNB Academy gives access to expert-knowledge in order to foster a sustainable built environment. It provides professionals with precise tools and up-to-date knowledge to strengthen their skills through flexible and well-structured educational programmes. At present there are more than 3,100 qualified DGNB auditors, consultants and registered professionals in 35 countries across the globe. The DGNB Academy offers excellent learning opportunities to obtain expertise in the DGNB System and to explore current approaches to sustainable development.

NEWS

#StandwithUkraine