DGNB ESG-Manager

• Module 1*: Basic course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management"
  • Basics and understanding of sustainable real estate management
  • Overview of current regulatory requirements (Green Deal, EU Taxonomy, SFDR)
  • Options for mitigating risk

Duration: 1 digital seminar day (2 x 90 min.)

• Module 2: Expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management"
  • Optimise buildings during operation through data preparation and analysis
  • Implementing carbon neutrality and sustainability in building operations (at portfolio level and for individual buildings)
  • Application knowledge of the DGNB System for Buildings in Use and for ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy

Duration: 1 seminar day in presence (4 x 90 min.) and 2 digital seminar days (2 x 90 min. each)

• Exam to become a DGNB ESG-Manager
  Annual training requirement
  • Accredited expert in sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management
  • Accompaniment throughout the certification process and sole entitlement to submit a project for DGNB Certification for Buildings In Use

Duration: 60 min. on one exam day

Note on the examination: The online exam for the qualification as DGNB ESG-Manager takes place approximately two to three weeks after your participation in the expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management". We use multiple choice questions to test the content of both modules (basic course and expert course). To pass, you must achieve at least 70 percent on the exam.

The exam preparation self-study takes approximately 25 hours, depending on your personal learning style and previous knowledge.

*Participation in the basic course (Module 1) is not mandatory in order to take the exam to become a DGNB ESG-Manager. Based on your previous knowledge, you decide for yourself whether to attend the module. However, we recommend attending the module for optimal preparation for the exam.

Module 1: Basic course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management"

The basic course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management" provides you with an overview of the regulatory requirements at national and European level, including the European Green Deal, the EU taxonomy and the SFDR disclosure regulation. You will gain an understanding of how to ensure compliance and safely manage potential risks. In addition, we will give you an outlook on the positive effects that can be achieved through sustainable real estate management if you systematically optimise and manage existing buildings in an ESG-compliant manner.

• Regulatory context and climate-related risks
• Implications for real estate valuation
• Relevance of the building sector
• Reporting and ratings
• Getting to know practical tools and solutions for meeting regulatory requirements, achieving carbon neutrality in building operations, minimising risks and documentation of compliance indicators

Module 2: Expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management"

The expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management" provides you with the necessary knowledge for the practical application of optimisation strategies for existing buildings. You will learn to consistently accompany sustainability in building operations and to identify and implement suitable measures. We provide you with the necessary know-how and the right tools to manage this yourself via climate action roadmaps or to safely brief energy consultants commissioned by you - depending on your personal orientation. As a basis, you will learn how to safely apply the DGNB System for Buildings in Use and how to utilise it for yourself.

• Technical requirements of the EU taxonomy for existing buildings
• Sustainability strategy for portfolios and individual buildings
• Building optimisation for climate-neutrality via the DGNB framework and the 12-step plan
• Technical monitoring: measurement data collection and operational optimisation
• DGNB System for Buildings In Use
• Practical example of CO₂ accounting
• Successful submission and certification

• Certificates of attendance for the modules you have attended in digital form
   

After passing the exam and signing the licence agreement:

• Receipt of the recognised title DGNB ESG-Manager
• DGNB ESG-Manager certificate in digital form
• Listing as a DGNB Certification expert on the DGNB website
• DGNB ESG-Manager logo in digital form incl. DGNB style guide for communicating your qualification (e.g. for your e-mail signature, website or communication materials)
• Access to the DGNB System Software and the building products platform DGNB Navigator
• Access to the exclusive group for DGNB ESG-Managers on the network platform myDGNB

In order to be able to register for the exam, you must provide evidence of having attended the expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management". You must take the exam no later than 24 months after attending the course.

Furthermore, we require:

• a degree in construction or real estate management, architecture or engineering, energy and environmental management.
  - with one year of relevant professional experience (Master / Diploma)
  - with three years of relevant professional experience (Bachelor)
• or a degree as a state-certified / recognised technician with three years of relevant professional experience
• or a completed commercial-technical vocational training in industry, construction/manufacturing, construction or real estate with five years of relevant work experience

We also recognise qualifications acquired elsewhere in individual cases.

In order to be able to maintain the title of DGNB ESG-Manager, there is an obligation to provide evidence of 6 DGNB further education points per year as part of the licence agreement.

You can collect these points by attending a DGNB expert day or the training and further education courses offered by the DGNB Academy. With the submission and successful certification of a project, you also receive further education points. You can find an overview of the offers for obtaining a licence with the respective DGNB further education points here.

Proof of the first further education points is only to be provided in the following calendar year after signing the licence agreement. Existing licensed DGNB Auditors or DGNB Consultants are exempt from the further training obligation as a DGNB ESG-Manager if they fulfil their further training obligation as a DGNB Auditor or DGNB Consultant. The general licensing conditions can be found here.