DGNB certification: bonuses for applying circular economy principles in sustainable construction
The German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) is the German and international knowledge platform for sustainable building. It provides the Global Benchmark for Sustainability, the world’s most advanced sustainable building certification system.
The DGNB Certification System is built around three pillars: lifecycle assessment, holistic approach and performance orientation. It is available in different versions for buildings, districts and interiors. As a planning and optimisation tool, it helps all those involved in construction to implement holistic sustainability quality.
Circular building is a core theme of the DGNB System, with the responsible use of resources, life-cycle-oriented planning of buildings, ease of deconstruction and recycling and the avoidance of critical substances given high priority in the certification criteria. Particularly advanced circular solutions are awarded bonus points for the "Circular economy". In addition, reuse, recycling and the non-use of material resources lead to a better assessment of the CO2 and lifecycle assessment of buildings.
With the DGNB System for Deconstruction of Buildings introduced in 2020, the sustainable and circular implementation of the deconstruction of buildings or parts of buildings can also be assessed as part of a certification for the first time.
The system can be adapted to climatic, structural, legal and cultural characteristics in other countries and so can certify projects around the world. It is also harmonised with the criteria of the EU taxonomy so that proof of compliance can be provided in parallel with certification.
Examples of circular economy bonuses that can be achieved in the DGNB System:
- Reuse and recycling of building components;
- Avoidance of waste and the reduction of material input;
- The implementation of sharing models;
- An increased intensity of usage of the building;
- The production of renewable energy and the provision of a surplus of energy produced in the building within the district.