"Naturally, the fact that the DGNB has received so much appreciation and recognition within just a few weeks – on so many levels, and in parallel – makes us really happy," says DGNB CEO Dr Christine Lemaitre. "It shows that our commitment to a more sustainable construction and property industry is recognised and supported not only within the industry, but also on a political and international level."
Prizes for educational work and knowledge-sharing
The German Awards for Sustainability Projects were presented for the second time this year as part of a partnership arrangement between the German Institute for Service Quality (DISQ), the news channel ntv and DUP Magazine. The competition honours particularly positive sustainability projects with the aim of raising the profile of companies and organisations making a commitment to sustainability. Two DGNB projects received acknowledgement for their contribution to general education. The DGNB received first prize in the Awareness/Education category for its report on Building for a Better World. In its report, it highlights in clear, easy-to-understand language the direct correlation between the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and sustainable building methods. The jury praised the report as "a highly descriptive and in-depth explanatory tool that, at the same time, promotes sustainable building." The report is available in German and English through the DGNB website www.dgnb.de/publications.
The DGNB was a joint winner in the Online Platform category with its www.norocketscience.earth website, a portal provided through the Wissensstiftung ("Foundation of Knowledge"), a non-profit organisation of the DGNB. The aim of the Wissensstiftung is to provide free information on sustainable building so that it can be quickly put to use. According to the jury, the website conveys knowledge "clearly and understandably, without complication, even for people with little previous experience." For more on the background of the Wissensstiftung, go to www.wissensstiftung.eu.
The award, which is presented under the patronage of Brigitte Zypries, a former Federal Minister, is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. In total, 268 companies were nominated, 64 of which were honoured with prizes by a distinguished jury from the world of business, science and the media under the guidance of Yvonne Zwick, Chairwoman of B.A.U.M.
DGNB – an innovative enterprise and an attractive employer
The DGNB also received awards from a number of international media outlets and publishers in recent weeks. News magazines Focus and Focus Money awarded the non-profit organisation the Deutschlandtest seal of approval for Top Career Opportunities for Women. Once again, the DGNB was the only institution in Germany to receive the honour, also achieving the maximum possible score.
Under the UK-based BUILD Architecture Awards, it was named the Most Innovative Building & Construction Business in Western Europe. Two American business and technology magazines also ranked the DGNB among their leading companies. CIO Bulletin, a media company from California, named the DGNB one of the 50 Best Companies to work for in 2022. Global Business Leaders Magazine described the DGNB as one of "30 Innovative Companies which everyone should know in 2022".
The fact that the DGNB is also an interesting place for talented young professionals to work is reflected in an award bestowed upon one of its employees: Seema Issar, who heads up sustainable finance at the DGNB as well as the certification of buildings in use, was acknowledged in the ESG category by the jury of the bii Forty under Forty Awards.
Also acknowledgement from political quarters
The DGNB is also gaining in significance and achieving increasing recognition in political spheres. Out of nearly 300 applicants, it was appointed by the German government as one of 19 permanent observers on the Sustainable Finance Committee – a panel of experts tasked with accelerating changes in the financial system in order to achieve global climate protection and sustainability goals. "We're delighted that the German government is drawing on the expertise of the DGNB through the Sustainable Finance Committee and feel highly honoured," says Lemaitre. "We are extremely motivated by the new responsibility."
DGNB know-how will also be called upon as part of a strategic dialogue process initiated by the state of Baden-Württemberg called Affordable Housing and Innovative Construction. Scheduled to launch officially in the coming weeks, resources will be pooled with the Chamber of Architects Baden-Württemberg and Bauwirtschaft Baden-Württemberg to form an external agency with the aim of networking different stakeholders, sharing information and offering help with administrative processes.
