Just a few years to go and it’s the start of the next decade. This will be a milestone in achieving our sustainability goals. Before us stands sweeping and probably irreversible social transformation, a shift that will also force all stakeholders in the building and property sector to make radical changes.
In view of this, and given that we’re overstepping the safe area of our planetary limitations and the impact we humans have on them, 'business as usual' is not an option. Together with a large number of experts from industry, the DGNB has developed the Future Project system to support and guide transformation towards a sustainable built environment.
In addition to other DGNB Certification variants, the DGNB System for the Future Project, Version 2030 is a supplementary offer for particularly ambitious existing buildings. Certification is also possible for new buildings. It can be used as an alternative or as a complement. The Future Project system sets high standards for sustainable buildings and requires a willingness to seek new solutions and act as a role model. After all, the overarching aim of certification is to help people to 'copy' good solutions in order to accelerate change. For this reason, transparency and communication during the development process and after completion are an essential part of the process.
DGNB Criteria Set Future Project, Version 2030
The DGNB Future Project award is a mark of excellence. It is intended to highlight projects that already show what is possible and achievable today, so they can be considered a model of sustainable building. Certification can be awarded to individual buildings or connected building complexes (in campus situations) that have been in use for at least one year. Both existing buildings (modernised or not) and new buildings can be certified. The DGNB Future Project award is granted for all building types and uses.
Criteria
Assessment conducted as part of the certification process is based on criteria. The certification system has been kept lean to include no more than ten criteria. Four or five specific objectives have been formulated for each of the ten criteria, making 45 in total. These support decision-making during all phases of the building life cycle – from assessments or renovations to buildings in their existing settings, to the development of new concepts, construction projects and the sustainable use of newbuilds.
As with all DGNB Certification systems, the criteria take into account all three pillars of sustainability: protect and strengthen our natural foundation of life (environmental), secure and strengthen social cohesion (social), transform economic systems for the future (economic).
In contrast to other variants of DGNB Certification, the criteria do not contain a large number of individual technical indicators. Instead, they offer hands-on tools to help both with the implementation of methods and with documentation required for audits.
Minimum requirements for certifiability
The following minimum requirements must be demonstrated for each project that is to be bestowed the Future Project award in accordance with the DGNB System for the Future Project, Version 2030. If, for reasons that the DGNB Certification body accepts as justifiable, there are deviations from the minimum requirements in terms of quality or method, certification can be granted as an exception if additional criteria are fulfilled.
In most cases, the minimum requirements for new buildings differ from those for existing buildings and renovated existing buildings, as new buildings are generally better able to meet more demanding targets. If minimum requirements cannot be met for an existing (renovated) building, but the project as a whole fulfils the objectives of the system, the DGNB should be consulted.
| Criterion | objective | Minimum requirements for new construction | Minimum requirements for existing buildings |
|---|---|---|
Climate | 1.1 Zero-carbon building operation and use | Building operation and utilisation can either already be shown to be climate-neutral or prepared to be climate-neutral by 2030 and is described with the help of a robust climate protection roadmap. A new building to be certified can either already be shown to be operated and used in a net greenhouse gas-neutral manner or there is a reliable climate protection roadmap with a reliable description of planned measures (technical and budgetary), which formulates the achievement of net greenhouse gas-neutral building operation and building use from 2030 at the latest, in concrete terms and with reference to the external framework conditions. | Building operation and utilisation can either already be shown to be climate-neutral or prepared to be climate-neutral by 2035 and is described with the help of a robust climate protection roadmap. An existing building to be certified can either already be shown to be operated and used in a net greenhouse gas-neutral manner or there is a reliable climate protection roadmap with a reliable description of planned measures (technical and budgetary), which formulates the achievement of net greenhouse gas-neutral building operation and building use from 2035 at the latest, in concrete terms and with reference to the external framework conditions.
|
Climate | 1.2 Energy production on site | Minimum utilisation of energy potential at the site Renewable energy is generated at new buildings or in their immediate vicinity on the site, which is used for the operation and/or utilisation of the building. | Minimum utilisation of energy potential via district solutions Existing buildings use self-generated energy on the site for operation or building use or from the immediate vicinity (district or the like). |
Climate | 1.3 Construction measures and buildings with the lowest possible CO2 emissions | Greenhouse gas intensity of the building is at a low level. A new building must demonstrate a very clear undercutting of fossil-based building-related greenhouse gas emissions compared to typical construction methods or comparable buildings that occur in the production phase (life cycle modules 'A1 to A3' in accordance with DIN EN 15978). | |
| Biodiversity | 3.2 Biodiversity-promoting vegetation | A minimum amount of biodiversity-promoting areas is available on the property. | |
| New buildings and modernisation measures to be certified that affect load-bearing structures have at least 40% of the outdoor area implemented in a biodiversity-promoting manner in accordance with DIN 277. | Existing buildings to be certified have at least 30% of the outdoor area implemented in a biodiversity-promoting manner in accordance with DIN 277. | |
| Soil | 4.1 Stop land consumption | The building is built in undeveloped inner-city development areas or on areas previously used for traffic/construction. New buildings to be certified demonstrate the previous use of the space using the Degree of conversion indicator, Criterion: Space utilisation of the DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings, Version 2023. If areas are used that fall under the indicators 1.1.2 Inner-city development area – previously undeveloped and 1.1.3 Area previously used for construction or transport, the minimum requirement is deemed to be fulfilled. | |
| Diversity | 5.1 Health-promoting quality of space | To protect the health of users and workers on construction sites, construction is largely free of harmful and hazardous substances, and a measurement of indoor air quality confirms the high level of quality implemented. | |
| For a new building an indoor air measurement is required in accordance with DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings, Version 2023 with proof of the minimum requirements for the results defined in Criterion SOC1.2. In addition, proof of quality level 3 of the DGNB criterion for harmful and hazardous substances (ENV1.2) of the DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings, Version 2023 must be confirmed and proven for the scope and area of application defined therein. | For existing buildings proof of an expert risk assessment of hazardous substances and their removal must be submitted. In the case of renovation projects, an expert opinion must show that the existing building stock does not pose any health risks from pollutants. In the expert opinion, the risk topics described in Annex 2, DGNB System for Renovation, Version 2021, must be assessed according to current health risks and, if necessary, appropriate measures (pollutant remediation) must be implemented as part of the renovation. To protect the health of users and workers, an indoor air measurement in accordance with the DGNB System for Renovation, Version 2021 must also be performed after completion, which proves that the minimum requirements described therein have been met (TVOC and formaldehyde limits). | |
| Diversity | 5.2 Inclusive for all | The building is accessible to people with disabilities. | |
| In the case of a new construction, quality level 1 of the DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings, Version 2023 or equivalent requirements are fulfilled. | In the case of an existing building, the accessibility requirements under building regulations are met and quality level 1 of the DGNB System for Renovation, Version 2012 or equivalent requirements are demonstrated. | |
| Region | 7.2 Sustainable mobility | A contribution is made to the sustainable mobility of building users. | |
| Region | 7.4 Fair supply chains | The wood used comes from sustainable forestry. | |
| In new buildings to be certified, at least 80% (by mass) of the wood, wood products and/or wood-based materials used come from verifiably sustainable forestry (see DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings, Version 2023, Criterion ENV1.3, Indicator 2.2.1 Use of responsibly sourced products). | In modernised existing buildings to be certified, at least 80% (by mass) of the timber, wood products and/or wood-based materials used and installed as part of modernisation measures come from verifiably sustainable forestry (see DGNB System for Renovation, Version 2021, Criterion ENV1.3). | |
| Circularity | 9.1 Valuing existing buildings | Deconstruction only after pre-deconstruction audit. | |
| If a new construction involves a deconstruction or partial deconstruction, a pre-deconstruction audit must be carried out. The need for deconstruction must be justified. | ||
| Resilience | 10.1 Climate resilient | A climate risk analysis was carried out and it was concluded from this that a basic resilience to climate risks exists or preparations are in place. A climate risk analysis was carried out for new and existing buildings. This is based on the specifications (minimum requirement) of the DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings, Version 2023, Criterion SITE 1.1. There is also a 'basic resilience' to climate risks, as described in criterion ECO2.6. | |
Note: in the criteria set, the minimum requirements are complemented by development prospects.
Further requirements
Above and beyond the minimum requirements, an examination of the ten criteria must be documented and the achievement of all 45 objectives formulated in the criteria must be demonstrated as far as possible. A minimum number of criteria or targets that must be shown to be fulfilled is currently not a prerequisite for certification. If the criteria as a whole or individual objectives are not achieved, this must be clearly explained and efforts to achieve them in the future must be plausibly presented.
After certification, relevant information must be submitted to the DGNB regularly and on request, which the DGNB may publish in its communication on the certification of the building. This information includes a small amount of essential data such as key metrics on media consumption (e.g. energy, water) or reports on findings from the project managers.
Only projects that are monitored by licensed DGNB Senior Auditors can be certified. The award can be combined with DGNB Certification (renovation, new construction, districts). These DGNB certifications may be required, for example, in order to receive state subsidies (e.g. BEG subsidies for new construction or renovation projects), as the DGNB System for the Future Project is not recognised as a basis for BEG subsidies.
The requirement for maintaining the validity of the award is continuous transparency regarding target fulfilment. This transparency can be provided, for example, through regular publicity measures, updated communication on monitoring data, or updates on target fulfilment.
Transparency is a key element of the DGNB Future Project system. The project managers undertake to regularly provide the DGNB with suitable predefined key metrics. These are published on the DGNB website following a plausibility check. In the following you will find an overview of these key metrics, sorted according to the criteria they are based on.
Climate
| Key metric |
|---|
| Annual greenhouse gas balance for building operation and utilisation and larger measures implemented |
| Annual final energy consumption of the building (operation and use) |
| Annual amount of renewable energy generated at the site |
Water
| Key metric |
|---|
| Water consumption (by consumer group) in m³ compared to the average 'industry consumption value' or the previous year |
| Documentation of water stress (scarcity) at the site and at the extraction point according to the Water Risk Atlas published by the World Resource Institute (WRI) |
Biodiversity
| Key metric |
|---|
| Biodiversity-promoting area (and change from previous year) |
Soil
| Key metric |
|---|
| Degree of sealing (and change compared to previous year) |
Diversity
| Key metric |
|---|
| Result of assessments of building user satisfaction with a focus on the indoor temperature, air, light and noise quality |
| Result of building user satisfaction analyses with a focus on the fulfilment of (space) requirements |
| For residential buildings: Proportion of affordable housing made available |
Surrounding area
| Key metric |
|---|
| Results of user satisfaction assessments regarding the quality of the open spaces |
Region
| Key metric |
|---|
| Travel behaviour of users: proportion of users travelling to the building using sustainable transport |
Sufficiency
| Key metric |
|---|
| Realised land requirement per person or usage unit |
Circularity
| Key metric |
|---|
| Waste generated during use |
Resilience
| Key metric |
|---|
| Result and date of the last climate risk analysis |
| Operating costs of the building |
Project managers submit an application for certification in accordance with the DGNB System for the Future Project, Version 2030. A corresponding form can be found and completed on this page. For the time being, applications can be made informally by emailing zukunftsprojekt@dgnb.de. The documents and information required for a preliminary assessment (step 2) are listed in the criteria in the 'Documentation options - Application - Evidence for preliminary review' sections. During the application phase, a distinction is made as to whether a property is already in use ('existing property in use', modernised or not modernised) or whether it is a property in the planning stage ('new construction and renovation projects in planning'). In both cases, the corresponding listed documentation ('Project dossier for preliminary inspection - existing building' | 'Project dossier for preliminary review - Project in planning') must be submitted to the DGNB in a suitable digital form for preliminary inspection.
These project dossiers for preliminary review describe the fulfilment of the objectives of the criteria. The project dossiers also show the extent to which and, if applicable, the means by which the objectives have been fulfilled (existing buildings) or, in the case of projects in the planning stage, the concepts through which they are to be fulfilled. The concepts must set out in detail how the objectives are to be achieved and how the planning and development processes are to be organised. In addition, it must be proven or confirmed that the minimum requirements are or will be complied with. The DGNB provides a template of the project dossier to be prepared for preliminary review.
The DGNB Certification body formally examines project dossiers submitted for preliminary review with regard to completeness, traceability of documentation, and plausibility of results. If formal requirements are not met, these must be submitted on request. If formal requirements are met, the project dossier is reviewed by the DGNB Certification body. If necessary, the Future Project Commission can be consulted for support.
The Future Project Commission is a committee of experts from the building and property industry invited by the DGNB to advise the DGNB Certification body on the process and subsequent assessment processes. As part of its preliminary decision, the Commission can be consulted to check whether a project can take part in the procedure for obtaining the award.
Applicants for existing buildings will be informed of the result of the preliminary review. If the decision is favourable, further steps can be initiated. For projects in the planning stage, the preliminary review is carried out in the form of a 'concept review', in which concepts are assessed for plausibility, coherence, and subsequent fulfilment. The commission can also make recommendations that can positively influence the fulfilment of the objectives.
In this step, it is possible to arrange an online consultation as part of the DGNB Diamond award procedure for architectural and design quality.
If the preliminary assessment is positive (see above), a project is officially approved and the project is presented accordingly on the DGNB website. In a jointly signed agreement, the project managers and the DGNB confirm their common goals and respective responsibilities (defined in the certification contract). The DGNB Senior Auditor responsible for the project must be appointed at this time.
As the DGNB Future Project system does not meet formal criteria for applying for state subsidies, but working with the project does not rule out funding, it makes sense to submit an application under a regular DGNB System recognised by funding bodies, and this can offer the synergies of a parallel application.
For projects in the planning stage, the project managers are responsible for realising the objectives to be achieved. Projects must be monitored by experienced sustainability consultants (DGNB Senior Auditors) – ideally from the very beginning. The DGNB office is available to answer any questions regarding the interpretation of the implementation aids used in the criteria.
The documents to be submitted under step 4 for the 'document review' must be collected or prepared during the implementation phase. The project managers are responsible for realising the objectives during commissioning and (initial) use. The evidence required for the document review must be submitted to the DGNB for review in the form of a 'Project Dossier - Certification' after completion. The information required for the document review must be submitted to the DGNB for review no earlier than one year after completion.
All objectives declared as achieved by the project team that cannot be checked for compliance with the objectives in the form of documents are assessed and evaluated by experts from the DGNB Certification body and members of the Future Project Commission as part of an inspection of the project. The projects are examined from the overall perspective of all criteria and with regard to possible inconsistencies. The defined catalogue of questions for the inspection is used for the assessment (see chapter Assistance for the implementation and documentation of the respective criteria). The assessment considers the following aspects, among others: results achieved, consistency of implementation, innovative character of the concepts, and scalability.
If targets are not met, a comprehensible reason must be given for the failure to achieve them and it must be shown whether and how they can be achieved at a later date. The DGNB experts and the participating members of the commission then consult with each other and draw up a consensus-based assessment of compliance with the objectives defined in the criteria. The assessment must be substantiated in writing by the parties involved in sufficient detail. On this basis, the DGNB can then bestow the DGNB Future Project award.
In this step, it is possible to go through the award procedure for the DGNB Diamond in parallel to the award decision for the DGNB Future Project award. This must be registered separately and confirmed in a contract.
After a successful award, the applicant undertakes to communicate transparently regarding award results, key information on the project and findings. A DGNB project website publishes key project metrics, award results, images, videos, interviews with project managers and dates for open days or guided tours of the project. The published information is intended to provide all interested parties with sufficient information to emulate implemented measures, as the overarching aim of the award is to accelerate transformation.
Award
Successfully certified projects receive a DGNB Future Project award. In addition, each project will have its own section on the DGNB website, which will be regularly updated with project information.
The requirement for maintaining the validity of the award is continuous transparency with regard to the fulfilment of objectives. This transparency can be achieved, for example, through regular publicity, updated communication on monitoring data or updates on target fulfilment.
The overarching goals of the Future Project system are to generate and share know-how in order to accelerate transformation in the building and property sectors. For this reason, there are no fixed fees for certification under the DGNB System for the Future Project. Instead, after a successful preliminary assessment, applicants are asked to determine the fees for the certification of their project at their own discretion as part of the contract preparation process.
These individual fees include
- The DGNB Certification process
- Preliminary and final assessment by the DGNB in consultation with the Future Project Commission
- An on-site inspection by the DGNB in consultation with the Future Project Commission
- The creation of a landing page on the DGNB website to communicate key sustainability metrics and other contractually defined information on the project
- Further communications
Apply with a project
Do you have a project that you would like to have certified under the DGNB System for the Future Project, Version 2030? This area of the website will soon contain an application form. For the time being, applications should be sent informally by email to zukunftsprojekt@dgnb.de. The documents and information required for preliminary assessments are listed under each the criteria in the sections on 'Documentation options – Application – Evidence for the preliminary assessment'.
More on the system's background and objectives
In interview (in German):
- Dr Christine Lemaitre (Chief Executive Officer DGNB)
- Professor Alexander Rudolphi (DGNB Board Member)
- Professor Amandus Samsøe Sattler (DGNB President)
- Dr Anna Braune (R&D Director DGNB)
- Dr Marc-Oliver Pahl (RNE Secretary-General)
Frequently asked questions
The award can be combined with DGNB Certification under the systems for Renovation, New Construction, Districts and Buildings In Use. These DGNB certifications may be required, for example, in order to receive state subsidies (e.g. BEG subsidies for new construction and renovation projects), as the DGNB Future Project system is not recognised as a basis for BEG subsidies.
The Future Project Commission has yet to be established. It will consist of experts reflecting the diversity of the criteria, members of the DGNB Commission for Design Quality and experienced staff from the DGNB office. The members will be announced once they have been successfully appointed by the DGNB.
A model contract is being developed and is expected to be available before the summer of 2025. If you have any questions, please email zukunftsprojekt@dgnb.de.
