DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council)

The DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen or German Sustainable Building Council) is a leading certification system and organization established in 2008 that promotes sustainable building practices across Germany and internationally. It distinguishes itself from other green building certifications through its holistic approach, which equally prioritizes environmental, social, and economic factors (the triple bottom line: E, S, and G). The DGNB certification evaluates a building’s sustainability throughout its entire lifecycle—from site selection and design, through construction and operation, to eventual demolition and material recycling. This lifecycle approach ensures minimized environmental impact, optimal resource efficiency, and improved occupant well-being. Specifically, DGNB assesses criteria such as energy and water efficiency, material health, indoor environmental quality, economic feasibility, social inclusiveness, and lifecycle costs. It supports a broad range of property types, including industrial and logistics real estate, offices, and residential buildings. The DGNB Academy further expands the organization’s impact by offering training and qualifications to industry professionals, certifying over 11,000 experts worldwide to implement sustainable building solutions. For B2B decision-makers such as investors and asset managers, DGNB certification represents a robust framework for risk mitigation, enhanced market value, and compliance with emerging ESG and climate-related regulations. It fosters transparency and trust among stakeholders about a building’s sustainability performance on economic, ecological, and social dimensions.