The SDGs form part of the 2030 Agenda, which was adopted by all member states of the United Nations in September 2015. The goals reflect a commitment made by the international community to socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. "The SDGs may already be embodied and embraced as a common basis for communication in some countries," says DGNB CEO Dr Christine Lemaitre. "But we still have so much catching up to do in lots of countries, especially in the building and property industry – despite the key role played by this sector in achieving the goals."
Almost all SDGs are relevant to building
The DGNB's aim with the new report is to contribute to increasing levels of awareness of the SDGs in the construction industry, which should provide orientation and add value when it comes to planning and building. "Our motivation was to present the topic in such a way that it demonstrates the direct links between the SDGs and sustainable construction, and that it does this in a straightforward and understandable way," states Lemaitre.
The publication introduces the topics addressed by the 2030 Agenda, pinpointing specific areas of impact and providing examples of how every individual can contribute to the aims of the SDGs. It also shows why the building sector plays a particularly important role in achieving the goals and which of the 15 SDGs it affects in tangible terms. In addition, the report takes a closer look at the six particularly pertinent SDGs for the building sector:
- Good health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Affordable and clean energy (SDG 7)
- Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11)
- Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12)
- Climate action (SDG 13)
- Partnerships for the goals (SDG 17)
DGNB certification – an instrument for implementing the SDGs
One particular area of focus of the publication is how the SDGs dovetail with different versions of the DGNB system. It does this by examining how the different DGNB certification criteria for New Construction, Buildings in Use and Districts are linked to the goals of the United Nations.
"The DGNB system translates the SDGs into building practice and plugs the gap between overarching global goals and real-world implementation," states Lemaitre. "This new report will allow anyone with an interest in these issues to see at a glance which SDGs a particular certified project contributes to," she says. "The certification is thus also suitable as a communication tool for all building owners, and companies and local authorities can integrate it into their sustainability reporting."
Publication available on the DGNB website
Going by the title Building for a Better World, the new DGNB report is available free of charge in a digital format at: www.dgnb.de/en/council/publications. In the near future, it will also be possible to order the publication free of charge as a printed version.
