With the advanced training to become a DGNB ESG-Manager, you will become an expert for sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management. You will gain the necessary knowledge to systematically optimise and safely manage existing buildings in an ESG-compliant manner. In addition, we will train you in extensive application knowledge of the DGNB System for Buildings in Use and how to carry out the ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy.
The training will be held in German.
Learning objectives and skills taught
- You will gain extensive knowledge of the basics of DGNB Certification for buildings in use and proof of a recognised title.
- You will learn to implement the DGNB requirements for sustainable building operation and to manage properties in an ESG-compliant manner.
- You will learn to carry out the ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy as proof of the compliance of real estate and submit it to the DGNB for assessment.
The most important facts at a glance
- Asset Manager
- Property Manager
- Climate Protection Officer
- CSR Managers
- Energy consultants
- Sustainability consultants
- Persons with the title DGNB Consultant or DGNB Auditor who would like to supervise or audit projects for DGNB Certification for Buildings In Use*
*You have the option of a condensed training to become a DGNB ESG-Manager. More information can be found here.
- Module 1*: Basic course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management"
- Basics and understanding of sustainable real estate management
- Overview of current regulatory requirements (Green Deal, EU Taxonomy, SFDR)
- Options for mitigating risk
Duration: 1 digital seminar day (2 x 90 min.)
- Module 2: Expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management"
- Optimise buildings during operation through data preparation and analysis
- Implementing carbon neutrality and sustainability in building operations (at portfolio level and for individual buildings)
- Application knowledge of the DGNB System for Buildings in Use and for ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy
Duration: 1 seminar day in presence (4 x 90 min.) and 2 digital seminar days (2 x 90 min. each)
- Exam to become a DGNB ESG-Manager
Annual training requirement- Accredited expert in sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management
- Accompaniment throughout the certification process and sole entitlement to submit a project for DGNB Certification for Buildings In Use
Duration: 60 min. on one exam day
Note on the examination: The online exam for the qualification as DGNB ESG-Manager takes place approximately two to three weeks after your participation in the expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management". We use multiple choice questions to test the content of both modules (basic course and expert course). To pass, you must achieve at least 70 percent on the exam.
The exam preparation self-study takes approximately 25 hours, depending on your personal learning style and previous knowledge.
*Participation in the basic course (Module 1) is not mandatory in order to take the exam to become a DGNB ESG-Manager. Based on your previous knowledge, you decide for yourself whether to attend the module. However, we recommend attending the module for optimal preparation for the exam.
Module 1: Basic course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management"
The basic course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management" provides you with an overview of the regulatory requirements at national and European level, including the European Green Deal, the EU taxonomy and the SFDR disclosure regulation. You will gain an understanding of how to ensure compliance and safely manage potential risks. In addition, we will give you an outlook on the positive effects that can be achieved through sustainable real estate management if you systematically optimise and manage existing buildings in an ESG-compliant manner.
- Regulatory context and climate-related risks
- Implications for real estate valuation
- Relevance of the building sector
- Reporting and ratings
- Getting to know practical tools and solutions for meeting regulatory requirements, achieving carbon neutrality in building operations, minimising risks and documentation of compliance indicators
Module 2: Expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management"
The expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management" provides you with the necessary knowledge for the practical application of optimisation strategies for existing buildings. You will learn to consistently accompany sustainability in building operations and to identify and implement suitable measures. We provide you with the necessary know-how and the right tools to manage this yourself via climate action roadmaps or to safely brief energy consultants commissioned by you - depending on your personal orientation. As a basis, you will learn how to safely apply the DGNB System for Buildings in Use and how to utilise it for yourself.
- Technical requirements of the EU taxonomy for existing buildings
- Sustainability strategy for portfolios and individual buildings
- Building optimisation for climate-neutrality via the DGNB framework and the 12-step plan
- Technical monitoring: measurement data collection and operational optimisation
- DGNB System for Buildings In Use
- Practical example of CO2 accounting
- Successful submission and certification
- Certificates of attendance for the modules you have attended in digital form
After passing the exam and signing the licence agreement:
- Receipt of the recognised title DGNB ESG-Manager
- DGNB ESG-Manager certificate in digital form
- Listing as a DGNB Certification expert on the DGNB website
- DGNB ESG-Manager logo in digital form incl. DGNB style guide for communicating your qualification (e.g. for your e-mail signature, website or communication materials)
- Access to the DGNB System Software and the building products platform DGNB Navigator
- Access to the exclusive group for DGNB ESG-Managers on the network platform myDGNB
In order to be able to register for the exam, you must provide evidence of having attended the expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management". You must take the exam no later than 24 months after attending the course.
Furthermore, we require:
- a degree in construction or real estate management, architecture or engineering, energy and environmental management.
- with one year of relevant professional experience (Master / Diploma)
- with three years of relevant professional experience (Bachelor) - or a degree as a state-certified / recognised technician with three years of relevant professional experience
- or a completed commercial-technical vocational training in industry, construction/manufacturing, construction or real estate with five years of relevant work experience
We also recognise qualifications acquired elsewhere in individual cases.
In order to be able to maintain the title of DGNB ESG-Manager, there is an obligation to provide evidence of 6 DGNB further education points per year as part of the licence agreement.
You can collect these points by attending a DGNB expert day or the training and further education courses offered by the DGNB Academy. With the submission and successful certification of a project, you also receive further education points. You can find an overview of the offers for obtaining a licence with the respective DGNB further education points here.
When the licence agreement is signed, proof of further education points must not be provided until the following calendar year (the examination date applies). Existing licensed DGNB Auditors or DGNB Consultants are exempt from the further training obligation as a DGNB ESG-Manager if they fulfil their further training obligation as a DGNB Auditor or DGNB Consultant. The general licensing conditions can be found here.
| DGNB member / Member of a cooperating training institution* | DGNB non-member | |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1: Basic course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management" | 225 € | 290 € |
| Module 2: Expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management" | 550 € | 770 € |
| Exam to become a DGNB ESG-Manager | 290 € | 340 € |
| Total | 1065 € | 1400 € |
All prices exclude VAT.
The reduced fees apply according to the DGNB fee schedule for all ordinary members and group members of the DGNB and their employees.
*Please enclose a valid proof of membership of the cooperating training institution with your booking.
Groups (from 10 persons)
For group bookings of 10 people or more, please contact us by email at ausbildung@dgnb.de.
Dates and registration
Become a DGNB ESG-Manager
Please note: As the trainings are held in German, please switch to German language settings to make a booking.
More information on the condensed course for DGNB Consultants and Auditors
Frequently asked questions about the DGNB ESG-Manager
The exam preparation is part of the expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management". In addition, you will receive further preparation instructions from us approx. 10 days before the exam. The contents of both the basic and expert courses will be tested in the exam. Attending the basic course is optional. Based on your previous knowledge, you decide yourself whether to attend the course or not.
After failing the DGNB ESG-Manager exam for the first time, you will receive a second attempt free of charge. A third attempt is possible. For this, we charge 50 percent of the exam costs.
If you do not pass at the latest on the third attempt, you have the option of taking an oral examination as a last resort. This will only take place upon request and in person at the DGNB office. We charge the full examination costs for this.
In order for you to be allowed to use the title DGNB ESG-Manager as well as the logo and to submit projects for DGNB Certification, we require that you sign a licence agreement. You can find the general licensing conditions here.
In order to be allowed to audit new construction and renovation projects, further training to become a DGNB Consultant and subsequently a DGNB Auditor is required.
If you already have expertise regarding the current regulatory requirements (Green Deal, EU Taxonomy and the Disclosure Regulation SFDR) and possible solutions, you can skip attending the basic course. However, attendance of the expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management" is mandatory if you wish to take the DGNB ESG-Manager exam. This covers the path to carbon neutrality and other criteria of the DGNB System for Buildings in Use.
In the exam, we ask for the contents from the basic course (independent of your participation) and the expert course.
As a licensed DGNB Consultant / DGNB Auditor, you have already completed a comprehensive DGNB training course and are kept up to date through the annual training obligation. You can gain the additional competence to lead existing buildings into climate neutrality by attending the expert course "Sustainable, ESG-compliant real estate management". Please note the discounted events offered especially for DGNB Consultants and Auditors. More information can be found here.
After attending the event and signing the licence agreement, you may use the title DGNB ESG-Manager. An additional exam is not required. DGNB Auditors and Consultants can collect 8 continuing education points for the licence with the ESG-Manager training.
Once you have obtained your licence as a DGNB Consultant (6 DGNB continuing education points) or DGNB Auditor (8 DGNB continuing education points), your licence as a DGNB ESG-Manager is also secured. The required continuing education points are therefore not added - despite two separate licensing conditions (see exception clauses).
Currently, we only offer the DGNB ESG-Manager training in German. If you are interested, please contact us by email at academy@dgnb.de.