Lecture 13

Question 1

Lecture 13: Voluntary Sustainability Standards in the Construction Sector – DGNB Rating System

Main Topics:

Answer 1

• DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) Certification
• Resource Efficiency in the Construction Sector
• Urban and Building Scale Sustainability
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Question 2

What are the sustainability challenges in the construction sector?

Answer 2

• High GHG emissions (~38% reduction target in Germany by 2030)
• Material resource depletion
• Waste generation (construction is a leading sector in landfill waste)​

Question 3

What is DGNB certification, and how does it evaluate sustainability?

Answer 3

It is a German green building rating system assessing projects based on environmental, economic, and socio-cultural criteria​

Question 4

How does pre-certification improve sustainability in construction?

Answer 4

It ensures sustainability goals are integrated early in the design phase, promoting resource efficiency and eco-friendly material use

Question 5

What sustainability assessment method does DGNB use?

Answer 5

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental impact of a building from construction to demolition

Question 6

What are the DGNB certification levels?

Answer 6

Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, depending on sustainability performance​