The DGNB's commitment is multifaceted. Among other things, it has helped to launch various initiatives in recent years and actively promotes work in these. It is also part of international cooperation projects and co-initiator of other non-profit organizations.
Initiatives
Climate-positive cities and communities
The Climate Positive Cities and Communities initiative was launched in 2020 by the DGNB with the aim of helping municipalities to implement the issues of climate protection and sustainability more quickly, more broadly and in a more goal-oriented manner. The background to this is the conviction that climate protection is decided at the municipal level. It is therefore important that cities act beyond individual lighthouse projects. They must make climate protection the standard and have the opportunity to benefit from the experience of others. This requires an implementation-oriented exchange of knowledge. This is precisely where the initiative comes in. Learn more (Content available in German)
Contact: Matthias Schäpers, Senior Project Manager Climate Positive Cities and Communities
Phase Sustainability
Together with the German Chamber of Architects, the DGNB has launched the "Phase Sustainability" initiative. The aim of the initiative is to transform current planning culture and Baukultur to make sustainable building the new normal. Instead of signing another climate manifesto, architects and planners commit themselves to promoting the most important sustainability issues of the Declaration of Sustainability in their discussions with clients. In the meantime, the initiative also includes the fields of interior design, landscape architecture and structural design. Learn more
SHIFT – Southern Heritage and Insights for Transformation
SHIFT is a global initiative that’s all about joining forces and taking action to make the construction industry more sustainable – genuinely sustainable. By involving experts and everyone who lives in communities. It was founded by Dr Christine Lemaitre and Thomas Auer. Its goal is to shape a new understanding of sustainable architecture, highlight the factors that have a real impact and promote a culture of mutual learning. Learn more
Your Contact: Lea Bauer, Advisor Knowledge Foundation
HouseEurope!
HouseEurope! is a European citizens' initiative promoting the preservation, conversion and renovation of existing buildings. It aims to influence EU legislation so that renovation and conservation become the norm in building practice and demolition the exception. The initiative is seeking one million signatures. As DGNB, we support this effort. Find out more
Your contact: Johannes Moser, Advisor International Association Work
Organisations
Wissensstiftung (Knowledge Foundation)
We can already design and build good, sustainable, high-quality buildings. So why do we do it so rarely? One key reason: sustainable building is complex. The knowledge to make quick and confident decisions is not always available. This is precisely where the Wissensstiftung comes in. Under the motto "Saving the world is not easy, but with the right knowledge it at least becomes easier", it provides directly applicable knowledge, checked by experts, free of charge on the Wissensstiftung platform. DGNB is one of the initiators of the organization. Learn more (Content available in German)
Climate Positive Europe Alliance
The Climate Positive Europe Alliance (CPEA), AISBL is a non-profit, membership-based think tank located in Brussels. It addresses the most urgent challenges facing stakeholders in the construction and real estate industry, such as sustainable finance, circular economy or the intelligent handling of building data. At the core of its activities are collaboration and the establishment of a cross-sector dialog between business and politics. The Brussels-based organization is backed by the DGNB, the Green Building Council España, the Austrian Sustainable Building Council, the Green Building Council Denmark, the Swiss Sustainable Building Council, the French Green Building Council Alliance HQE, the Green Building Council Croatia and the Architects' Council of Europe. Learn more
Contact: Simone Pitzal, Project Manager Trade Fairs and Events
Collaborations
GROUNDBREAKERS
GROUNDBREAKERS is a joint initiative of the DGNB, the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO together with partners from business, science and education. The aim of the initiative is to actively shape the transformation of the construction industry towards digitalisation and sustainability by supporting early-stage start-ups and accompanying innovations on their way to market maturity. GROUNDBREAKERS is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism. Find out more (German only)
Your contacts: Felix Jansen, Director PR, Communications and Marketing; Dr. Stephan Anders, Director Network and Consulting
Klimaneutral Massiv Bauen@skills.BW
The knowledge platform "Klimaneutral Massiv Bauen@skills.BW" is a digital and practical training programme focusing on innovative, climate-friendly solid construction. Participation is free of charge. The target group includes architects, planners and construction companies.
In addition to the DGNB, the following partners are involved in the knowledge platform: Architektenkammer Baden-Württemberg, Bauwirtschaft Baden-Württemberg e.V., Ingenieurkammer Baden-Württemberg, solid UNIT Baden-Württemberg e.V..
The project is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism as part of the "BAU.weiter.BILDEN@BW" funding programme. More about the project (German only)
Your contact: Mario Schneider, Director DGNB Academy
Networks
World Green Building Council
The World Green Building Council WGBC is a global network of national green building councils that is committed to promoting sustainable construction and a climate-friendly building industry. DGNB Managing Director Johannes Kreißig is part of the Board of Directors of the WGBC. Managing Director Dr Christine Lemaitre is a member of the Steering Committee of the Policy Taskforce. The DGNB also contributes its expertise to other task forces and working groups. Learn more
Your contact: Johannes Moser, Advisor International Association Work
Unternehmen biologische Vielfalt
In 2013, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), together with business and nature conservation associations, launched the action and dialogue platform Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt - UBi. The project is funded by the BfN and the BMUV as part of the Federal Programme for Biological Diversity. UBi supports business associations in establishing and developing environmental management and biodiversity protection in their member companies. It pursues a partnership approach that emphasises individual initiative and synergies. UBi's supporters include numerous institutions, including the DGNB. As a committed member, we are actively involved in UBi's circle of supporters and make our knowledge and experience available. Find out more (German only)
Your contact: Carla Schweizer, Project Manager Research Projects
Gebäudeforum klimaneutral
The DGNB is part of the network Gebäudeforum klimaneutral. It's aim is to multiply knowledge and thus accelerate the progress of the energy transition in the building sector by joining forces and exchanging information to promote climate neutrality in the building sector. To this end, the DGNB distributes publications on the subject, as well as tools and guidelines via the network, and contributes its expertise.
Your contact: Dr. Anna Braune, Director Research and Development
New European Bauhaus
The DGNB is an official partner of the New European Bauhaus. This is an EU policy and funding initiative launched by the European Commission in 2021 that promotes sustainable solutions for the transformation of the built environment and lifestyles in the context of ecological change. The aim is to combine sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics. Learn more
Your contact: Johannes Moser, Advisor International Association Work
Global Alliance for Building and Construction
The DGNB is a member of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction. The aim of this alliance of governments, the private sector, civil society, research and intergovernmental organisations is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the construction and building sector worldwide and improve energy efficiency. Learn more
Your contact: Johannes Moser, Advisor International Association Work
International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction
The DGNB is a member of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). CIB is a global network of organisations, companies and individuals that aims to connect stakeholders from research and building practice and to pool expertise.. Learn more
Who to contact: Johannes Moser, Advisor International Association Work
Davos Baukultur Alliance
As a founding member and part of the steering committee, the DGNB is working with other partners in the Davos Baukultur Alliance to safeguard the quality of life in Europe through an improved built environment. The focus here should be on well-being and resilience, the strengthening of vibrant urban districts, environmental protection and positive economic benefits. Learn more
Your contact:Johannes Moser, Advisor International Association Work