DGNB certification is among Europe's leading certifications for sustainable buildings and beyond.

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Started in Germany, it’s been adopted by the real estate sector in many countries to showcase their commitment to a greener planet. It’s a certification system that buildings can use at any stage, from planned to existing. While a certification like DGNB is optional in most countries, the need for it is greater than ever. The United Nations Environment Program states that the buildings and construction sector is responsible for 37% of global emissions – it’s no wonder this certification has gained traction.  

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In this article, we’ll cover the meaning of DGNB, what it entails, and the different levels of certification that buildings can achieve. If you’re considering building sustainability certification, this one’s for you! 

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What is DGNB?

DGNB stands for Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen, which translates to the German Sustainability Building Council. It was founded in 2007 as an independent non-profit organisation to promote sustainable buildings. The DGNB certification, introduced in 2009, is a planning and optimisation tool for buildings, interiors, and districts. It provides the framework for projects in the construction industry, ranging from new construction to deconstruction, through different variants. 

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Since its inception, over 10,000 projects in 30 countries have earned DGNB certification worldwide, with this number rapidly growing as attention shifts to companies taking a stronger stance on carbon reduction efforts. The DGNB certification criteria continuously evolve according to the building sector's requirements, regulations, and developments. DGNB works with partner organisations worldwide to help implement cohesive yet localised standards for achieving sustainability in construction. 

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The DGNB system explained

The DGNB certification system is markedly different from other certifications in that it focuses on three essential paradigms, which include:

• Lifecycle assessment 
• Holistic approach
• Performance orientation

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With the lifecycle assessment, the certification accounts for a project's impact throughout its life, from planning to construction to use to deconstruction/decommission. It takes a holistic approach to buildings, measuring impact on ecology, economy, and socio-culture. Lastly, it considers a project's overall performance in the context of its purpose and use. 

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The quality measure, which is used for awarding the corresponding award, is divided into five areas:

• Environmental quality (22.5%)
• Economic quality (22.5%)
• Sociocultural and functional quality (22.5%)
• Technical quality (15%)
• Process quality (12.5%)
• Site quality (5%)

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The environmental, economic, and sociocultural/functional qualities are equally weighted and serve as the primary criteria for assessment. For a holistic approach, the technical and process quality is also measured. However, these measures have a smaller contribution to the overall weight of the assessment. Lastly, the certification also considers the location. This criteria is used to certify new construction projects, renovations, and even existing buildings. 

Types of DGNB certification systems

DGNB has created different variants of the system to better cater to the phases of a building or construction project. Each phase has specific requirements, so the system corresponds to those requisites. Similarly, the actors involved in every phase are also different. For instance, for a building under construction, the actors would be a construction company, whereas for a building in use, the actors would be the owners and inhabitants. 

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The DGNB variants cater to the different phases of the building throughout its lifecycle. This may sound like an overly complex certification but bear with us as we go into more detail. Here are the separate variants of the DGNB certification system:

• New construction
• Renovations
• Buildings in use
• Interiors
• Districts
• Construction site
• Deconstruction

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New construction

The DGNB systems for new construction aim to make a building project sustainable from the start. This system leads to a pre-certification for new buildings and districts. It aims to help incorporate sustainability goals in the planning phase and minimise risks. The saying “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” rings true here, as you need to start the certification process before building.

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The system for new building construction also has an international version that accommodates the different regulatory requirements of different countries. It’s an adapted form of the original system made for Germany and other EU countries. The DGNB's new construction system has schemes for various construction projects, including residential buildings, commercial buildings, assembly buildings, car parks, department stores, hotels, and hospitals.

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Renovations

This DGNB system is designed to renovate existing buildings and provides guidelines on making them more sustainable within a given budget. It targets resource consumption, pollution, and waste to make buildings more sustainable through renovations. This certification also considers any special requirements by building type. It can be applied to educational buildings, department stores, hotels, shopping centres and residential buildings with more than six units. 

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Buildings in use

The DGNB system for buildings in use is a tool for transforming and managing existing buildings to take them closer to carbon-neutral status. It can be used by building owners or operators to reduce climate change's impact through steps according to the building type, design and resource usage. Unlike the system for new buildings focusing on materials and construction practices, this system targets operational aspects that can be improved and made more sustainable. 

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Interiors

The DGNB system for interiors targets the interior spaces of buildings, particularly offices, restaurants, retail stores, bank branches and hotels. Also, a building itself doesn’t have to be certified for its interior to get the certification. This system treats the interior as a standalone part of the building, eligible for its own accreditation. 

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District 

DGNB also offers certification for entire districts. The guidelines differ by district type, as each has its own requirements. The system caters to different schemes, including urban districts, business districts, commercial areas, industrial sites and event areas. From green transportation to circular economy, the DGNB system for sustainable districts helps implement well-researched and practical measures for going green. 

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Construction site

A construction site has a large carbon footprint, so DGNB also provides a system for making these sites more environmentally friendly. This system, designed for construction planners, has five quality criteria: 

• Construction site organisation
• Resource conservation
• Health and social aspects
• Communication
• Construction quality 

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Deconstruction 

The DGNB system for the deconstruction of buildings certifies deconstruction projects that help minimise the impact of such activities. It follows five principles that, in turn, highlight transparency and commitment to the environment and people. 

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DGNB certification levels

The DGNB certification is a fully independent process with high transparency. As a result, it’s accepted and respected by organisations worldwide. Buildings and construction projects can obtain different levels of certificates: Platinum, Gold, and Silver. A fourth level, Bronze, is available only for buildings in use. 

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The level of certification depends on the degree of fulfilment of the requirements in the specific system. An aggregate performance percentage is calculated based on the five quality criteria mentioned above. Based on this number, the level of certification is assigned to a building. 

Here’s the DGNB rating system:

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DGNB also has awards for projects that exceed expectations:

• The DGNB Diamond award is designed for high-quality design and architecture 
• The DGNB Climate Positive award is given to carbon-neutral buildings
• The DGNB Ecolabel award is a joint building certificate with HafenCity Hamburg (awarded to buildings in Hamburg, Germany)

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DGNB certification and compliance

DGNB certification requirements have been set in line with environmental regulations, particularly those in the EU. The guidelines in the various systems consider the EU taxonomy for sustainable activities.

As a result, compliance requirements can be met, and DGNB certification can be achieved simultaneously. The DGNB ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy is a verification service for companies in the real estate sector and even the financial sector with investments in property portfolios. Through this verification, companies can demonstrate compliance with the EU reporting framework. 

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Why consider DGNB certification?

A certification like DGNB for a building under construction or already constructed can have multiple benefits. Here’s why real estate builders, management, and investors should seek this particular certification:

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Shows commitment to sustainability

DGNB-certified buildings are optimised in their construction and performance and, hence, have a minimal carbon footprint. It shows a strong commitment to sustainability to all stakeholders, whether potential buyers or residents. Any company or individual with a stake in a real estate property can attain DGNB certification by completing the requirements. Furthermore, there are levels to the certification, making it a good choice for buildings moving toward a carbon-neutral state. 

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Flexible requirements

DGNB has created systems for various building scenarios, from planned construction to deconstruction. The systems are tailor-made to fit the application. More importantly, the guidelines cover all the aspects related to the building. 

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Financial incentives

A study by CBRE suggests that office buildings with green certificates can earn a 6% rental premium over their non-certified peers. Furthermore, 32% of investors are willing to pay a premium for ESG friendly assets, and 67% of investors are willing to pay a premium for building features that benefit the mental and physical health of employees and for buildings that have health and well-being certificates. Not bad.

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Helps with compliance

Another benefit is compliance with environmental regulations and ESG reporting. The building sector is under the microscope for its emissions, and regulations are becoming stricter. Attaining a certification makes it easier to satisfy any regulatory requirements and avoid fines. 

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FAQs

What are the levels of DGNB certification?

There are four levels of DGNB certification: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. The DGNB Platinum certification is the highest, followed by the DGNB Gold certification. The DGNB Bronze certification is only for buildings in use. 

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How many buildings have a DGNB certification?

Over 10,000 buildings worldwide have achieved DGNB certification, most of them in EU countries. 

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Where to apply for DGNB certification?

DGNB certification can be applied by registering your building project online at the DGNB portal. 

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