Top 50 measures: solutions in practice

Be inspired by measures implemented in practice for a climate-positive building stock, or set an example yourself

In November 2022, we published the DGNB Guide to Climate Positive Building Stock, which gives an insight into the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions in the German building sector, as well as key regulatory requirements. It also lists 50 top measures for our joint path to a climate-positive building stock.

In a blog series on our shared journey to climate-positive buildings, we’re showcasing projects, companies and organisations, along with the solutions they found for implementing those measures. On this page, you will find all of these top 50 measures categorised according to the overarching strategic goals they are pursuing. You can identify existing contributions by the 'see example' button.

Want to join in and share your own experiences? See the application details at the end of this page.

Strategic objective 1

Eliminating emissions associated with energy consumption and making a positive contribution to the energy transition with renewable energies

^{Action area 1 Capturing the current situation with climate action roadmaps and planning climate neutrality in specific terms}

Climate protection inventory

Determining energy and climate action-relevant status quo for each building.

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^{Action area 1 Capturing the current situation with climate action roadmaps and planning climate neutrality in specific terms}

Low-investment optimisation measures

Identifying all potential for climate action-optimised operation and implementing low-investment optimisation measures immediately.

EXAMPLE COMING SOON

^{Action area 1 Capturing the current situation with climate action roadmaps and planning climate neutrality in specific terms}

Creating climate action roadmaps

Creating climate goal-compatible, specific renovation or climate action roadmaps with the objective of climate positive operation for each building and drafting specific action plans for each property. For large stocks of existing buildings: Prioritising by building type, only drafting detailed climate action plans in a second step.

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^{Action area 1 Capturing the current situation with climate action roadmaps and planning climate neutrality in specific terms}

Implementing climate action roadmaps

Implementing measures according to climate action roadmaps (step by step). Setting interim targets and reviewing them regularly, ideally externally validated through sustainability certification of building operations.

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^{Action area 2 Reducing energy demand and consumption of buildings}

CO₂-objectives

Clearly communicating ambitious energy and CO₂ objectives at the start of each project and taking them into account at all design and planning stages. Determining the energy balance together with a CO₂ balance for all planned renovations and conversions.

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^{Action area 2 Reducing energy demand and consumption of buildings}

Renovations with high energy efficiency

Implementing all renovations with high energy efficiency (in terms of final energy) and / or LT-ready (operation with low-temperature systems) and the objective of climate positive operation to avoid lock-in effects. Applying either individual solutions or – for acceleration – serial solutions.

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^{Action area 2 Reducing energy demand and consumption of buildings}

Training of professionals

Promoting training of professionals for more and better climate change competencies. Intensifying and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange. Establishing a positive error culture to share lessons learned.

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^{Action area 2 Reducing energy demand and consumption of buildings}

Demand planning for new construction

Demand reduction: Investigating as part of the demand planning process of all new construction projects whether new construction is actually necessary. In doing so, taking into account CO₂ emissions of the construction measure and the operation, give preference to activation of existing facilities or alternatives for meeting the demand without or only with minor construction measures.

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^{Action area 2 Reducing energy demand and consumption of buildings}

Requirement standard for necessary new construction

Setting high climate action requirements for necessary new construction. Implementing projects at least meeting "EH 40" standard (according to innovation clause GEG) and climate neutral-ready, and preparing climate neutral supply by 2045 at the latest. To this end, drawing up and implementing ambitious climate action roadmaps and preparing appropriate measures.

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^{Action area 2 Reducing energy demand and consumption of buildings}

Efficiency and savings potential of existing building (TGA)

Existing buildings: Optimally exploiting the efficiency and savings potential of existing building and supply technology and optimising energy use.

EXAMPLE COMING SOON

^{Action area 2 Reducing energy demand and consumption of building}

Implementation of optimised technical building services (TGA)

Upgrading / improving heating and cooling systems, replacing inefficient systems and preparing for or using LowEx systems (low energy systems, low temperature (LT) ready).

SEE EXAMPLE (study as PDF file – GERMAN)

^{Action area 3 Using 100 % renewable energies and acting as an active element in the energy transition}

STOP fossil-fuelled heating systems

No operation or installation of fossil-fuelled heating systems; planning and implementing removal of existing systems.

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^{Action area 3 Using 100 % renewable energies and acting as an active element in the energy transition}

Heat supply with renewable energies

Implementing heat supply completely using renewable energies or preparing for it.

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^{Action area 3 Using 100 % renewable energies and acting as an active element in the energy transition}

Photovoltaic systems and solar thermal systems

Activating all suitable roof areas and other suitable areas for the installation of photovoltaic systems or, where appropriate, solar thermal systems.

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^{Action area 4 Establishing climate-neutral and efficient energy supply systems}

District heating production

Increasing share of renewables in district heating production and grids (target: 100 percent) taking regional conditions and infrastructures into account. In addition, increasing network efficiency and minimising line losses.

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^{Action area 4 Establishing climate-neutral and efficient energy supply systems}

Converting fossil energy sources

Long-term planning: Converting infrastructures currently tailored to fossil energy sources for climate neutral energy sources.

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Strategic objective 2

Preserving the value of existing buildings, minimising the use of resources and ensuring long
and intensive use of buildings

^{Action area 5 Reducing land requirements and using land intensively}

Reducing space requirements

Reducing space requirements per person or alternative reference unit through appropriate and sufficient planning; raising awareness of renters / owners for spatial change.

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^{Action area 6 Preserving existing buildings or using them as a source of raw materials}

Selective deconstruction

In the case where existing building fabric needs to be deconstructed, calling for tenders for selective deconstruction with the aim of recycling mineral demolition waste and removing components contaminated with pollutants. Checking implementation of selective dismantling.

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^{Action area 6 Preserving existing buildings or using them as a source of raw materials}

Increasing recycling potential

Requiring and using secondary / replacement / recycled (RC) construction materials in all construction projects, aiming for a high overall percentage in buildings, and avoiding composite materials with low recycling potential.

SEE EXAMPLE

^{Action area 7 Strengthening longevity with adaptable and circular structures and components}

Integrating circularity in all service phases

Consistently integrating circularity into the individual service phases, using it as the basis for determining variants in accordance with Official scale of fees for services by architects and engineers (HOAI), and integrating it into call for tenders and award of contract.

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^{Action area 7 Strengthening longevity with adaptable and circular structures and components}

Building resource passports

Creating deconstruction- and recycling-oriented digital building documentation in the form of "building resource passports", storing them permanently and making them available at governmental level.

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^{Action area 8 Building simply, adding on, redensifying – creating qualities using less resources}

Leveraging housing potential

Leveraging housing potential through interior development of non-residential buildings:

Vertical, integrated redensification
Implementation of integration concepts
Conversion of the overhang
Addition / vertical redensification

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Strategic objective 3

Renovating existing buildings and building necessary new buildings emission-free and with climate
positive materials

^{Action area 9 Manufacturing climate action-oriented, carbon-free materials and products}

Selecting materials climate action- and cycleoriented

Selecting and handling materials in a climate action- and cycleoriented manner in the manufacture of construction materials, products, and systems:

Using low-CO₂ materials or raw materials in products
Using alternative raw materials / materials
Using secondary raw materials
Developing and offering products with low material consumption
Avoiding internal production losses
Avoiding production offcuts and wast

EXAMPLE COMING SOON

^{Action area 9 Manufacturing climate action-oriented, carbon-free materials and products}

Focus on CO₂-reduced products and construction materials

Obtaining quotations for demonstrably CO₂-reduced products / construction materials and always use them in renovations and necessary new buildings.

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^{Action area 9 Manufacturing climate action-oriented, carbon-free materials and products}

Closing cycles for all construction materials and products

Closing cycles for all construction materials and products:

Optimising logistics, recording and collection of recyclables and materials for recycling or reuse from demolition and construction site processes
Developing markets for secondary materials and digital networking of the supply and process chains
Recovering as many recyclable materials as possible from recycling
Creating reuse and recycling routes
Providing digital material passports or extended EPDs making them available as IoT (Internet of Things) solution with adequate information

EXAMPLE COMING SOON

^{Action area 9 Manufacturing climate action-oriented, carbon-free materials and products}

Fair pricing policy

Not offering climate action-oriented products / materials / systems in the overall portfolio at a higher price than the standard market variants (e.g. via internal subsidisation). Not aligning pricing policy with higher willingness to pay.

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^{Action area 9 Manufacturing climate action-oriented, carbon-free materials and products}

Fuel switching in production

Driving fuel switching in production:

Converting to renewable energy sources
Using waste-derived fuels with higher biogenic content
Substituting fuel-fired furnaces with electric furnaces

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^{Action area 9 Manufacturing climate action-oriented, carbon-free materials and products}

Transparency product portfolio

Voluntarily disclosing greenhouse gas intensity of the entire product portfolio or obtaining certification. Obtaining certification of "low greenhouse gas" components, products, and construction materials with an accompanying communication campaign.

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^{Action area 10 Planning and implementing climate action-oriented renovations and new buildings}

Life cycle CO₂balance

Calculating and optimising life cycle CO₂ balance for each project,
considering alternatives.

Step 1: Achieve transparency.
Step 2: Fall below defined maximum values for CO₂e in each project.
Step 3: Reduce maximum values successively.

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^{Action area 10 Planning and implementing climate action-oriented renovations and new buildings}

Serial renovation

Proactively offering and implementing serial renovation on all (appropriate) projects. Checking feasibility as well as advantages and communicating them.

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^{Action area 11 Using buildings as carbon sinks and stores}

CO₂-absorbing solutions

Strongly supporting the use of materials made from (rapidly) renewable and other CO₂-absorbing solutions and raw materials in new construction and renovations.

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^{Action area 11 Using buildings as carbon sinks and stores}

Research carbon sinks

Advancing research for fundamentals and potentials of carbon sinks in the construction industry and identifying innovations. Ensuring rapid transfer of knowledge into practice and increasing industry motivation for research.

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