What if most of us were committed to honest sustainability – even if it didn’t benefit us directly?

Doing more for sustainability means using resources more efficiently, reducing ecological damage, strengthening trust and better protecting future generations. It makes it easier to take collective action, which then inspires more people by setting positive examples.

Prof. Josef Steretzeder

Lindner Group

Taking a stance and getting involved with a good cause isn't something people do as a matter of course. But it's possible. And when it isn't just one person doing it, but a growing movement, a lot can happen. While this may sound simplistic, it's a very good description of the reality that DGNB has operated in since its founding. The existence of an exhibition like this one symbolises this as well. Because DGNB is a purely content-driven organisation. It doesn't represent a particular professional group or the interests of individuals. Rather, it's a non-profit committed to the common good. Its aim: to transform the construction and property industry towards sustainability. For more climate action and resource protection, and to preserve biodiversity.

Europe's largest network for sustainable building is made up of over 2800 member organisations that support its activities. Architecture firms and planners, building owners and project developers, construction companies and product manufacturers, banks, local authorities, associations, colleges and more. A special mention should also go to all the people who actively contribute. Who share their expertise without remuneration so that the construction industry changes for the better. They're not afraid of competitors profiting from their volunteer work. They're involved out of conviction, because they know things can be done differently and, above all, better. They help practically, here and now.

What they care about is creating a shared understanding of what sustainability in construction truly means. And about developing tools and standards to help achieve this ambition in day-to-day planning and construction activity.

Each of us can help. So get involved and support this work! There are still many forces of resistance to be overcome. Reservations to be refuted. And abstract demands that need to be pragmatically translated into reality. But this can only be done together. The more of us there are, the quicker this transformation will become reality.

Wouldn't it be nice if you too were involved in advancing sustainability – with conviction and also in the face of resistance?

You want to get actively involved in sustainable architecture yourself? Start here:

What if planners spoke with one voice to advocate sustainability to building owners?

The extent to which sustainability issues should be taken into consideration in a construction project is often decided in discussions between the building owner and the architecture firm. This makes it even more important for planners to leverage their expertise and commitment to advocate for more sustainability. The Phase Sustainability initiative launched by DGNB and the Federal Chamber of German Architects aims to help them do this. Over 500 architecture firms are part of the initiative – rather than just paying lip service to sustainability, they’re dedicated to taking action and learning together.

More about Phase Sustainability

What if banks and the construction industry worked hand in hand?

The finance world has long played far too separate a role in sustainability debates in construction. After all, someone has to fund the transformation. But when banks, the construction industry and portfolio holders talk past each other, that doesn’t really help anyone. DGNB’s Sustainable Finance in Construction initiative aims to close this gap. It helps commercial property financers and retail banks to pull the right levers to stimulate real impact.

More about the Initiative Sustainable Finance in Construction

What if municipalities supported each other in taking climate action?

The municipal level is more crucial to climate action than almost any other. That’s why it’s essential for municipalities to act, and not just in the form of one-off flagship projects. Especially in times of complex challenges and limited budgets, being able to profit from others’ experience helps enormously. And this is exactly what DGNB’s Climate-Positive Cities and Communities initiative is all about – over 100 municipalities are already involved in it.

More about the Initiative "Climate-Positive Cities and Communities"

What if sustainable building were a mandatory part of every architecture degree?

For sustainability to become the new normal in planning and construction, it needs to be taught at universities and colleges. Looking at the curricula of architecture and engineering degrees in Germany, a lot of progress has been made in recent years. This is partly thanks to DGNB cooperations with over 120 colleges where students now learn the fundamentals of sustainable building as part of their course. It’s this new generation of planners that is bringing changed perspectives and planning approaches into traditional architecture firms as well.

Explore the cooperating universities and colleges

What if advocating for sustainability transcended national borders?

Sustainable engagement requires a global benchmark. That’s why DGNB maintains close cooperations with like-minded organisations – first and foremost the DGNB System Partners in Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ukraine. DGNB is also a driving force on the World Green Building Council, in the Global Alliance for Building and Construction and in the Davos Baukultur Alliance. At the EU-wide level, DGNB acts via the Climate Positive Europe Alliance (CPEA) based in Brussels.

Get to know our DGNB System partners

Initiatives and Networks DGNB is involved in

What if everyone knew how to promote climate action effectively?

For our building stock to become carbon neutral, we can’t just sit and complain about the legislation and eligibility conditions or hope for major technological or political solutions. Making buildings and districts carbon neutral is a process that everyone needs to take responsibility for in their own area of activity. Which measures make the most sense depends on what is possible in the individual case. The good news is: everyone can do something – right here, right now. Ideas for this can be found in the DGNB Guide to Climate-Positive Building Stock.

DGNB Guide to a climate-Positive Building Stock

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