Ten years ago, when the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) was founded, sustainability was a niche topic in the German construction and real estate industry. A decade later, we have made considerable progress.

Especially for new properties in large cities it has become a standard to certify buildings in terms of sustainability. A study by BNP Paribas Real Estate shows that more than every fifth euro in the German investment market is spent on green buildings and it is likely to increase. Focussing on new properties in Germany, the DGNB has a market share of more than 80 percent among the providers of the various certification systems.

Expo Real – a perfect setting for certification ceremonies

Numerous DGNB awarding ceremonies take place at Expo Real

This trend is tangible at Expo Real 2017 once again. The fair is traditionally a popular framework for awarding certificates. Around 90 projects will receive their DGNB awards during this year’s Expo Real – more than ever before. The demand for the DGNB certification system also increases noticeably especially from abroad. Projects in more than 20 countries have received a DGNB certificate yet. Particularly in China the interest is rapidly growing. More than 300 professionals in the Chinese market have already been trained by the DGNB Academy, qualifying them as experts for sustainable building. In the framework of the Sino-German Urbanisation Partnership the DGNB also organised the first ever Sino-German Sustainability Forum bringing together pioneers in sustainable building from both nations.

Comprehensive programme of presentations and dialogue at stand A2.334 

Not only since COP21 in Paris and the corresponding climate protection agreement we know that we need to act as partners on a global level to cope with the huge challenges like the climate change or the scarcity of resources. The property industry plays an important role in this context. At Expo Real, this topic will be addressed in the panel discussion “After Paris and before Bonn: the active role played by the construction and real estate industry in global climate protection” on 4 October at 1:30 pm.

The event will take place at Stand 334 in Hall A2 where the DGNB will once again appear shared with the Federal Chamber of Architects (BAK), the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) and the Federal Foundation of Baukultur. Like in the last two years the stand’s motto is “Sustainable Baukultur”. In line with this theme the panel discussion “Building quality and future-orientated solutions: why sustainable architecture has to be more than an optional extra” will be held at DGNB’s booth starting at 12 pm on 5 October.

Everyone interested in the latest developments related to the DGNB certification system is invited to attend the panel discussion “Global Benchmark for Sustainability: the latest developments in DGNB certification” on 5 October at 3:30 pm. In this session the first projects applying the new Version 2017 of the DGNB System will be presented. The Frankfurt-based project FOUR which is the first project ever being developed according to DGNB’s scheme for Vertical Cities will be introduced as well.

For an overview of all information regarding these events and other items on the agenda at the shared trade fair stand, go to www.dgnb.de/exporeal. All events are free for trade fair visitors and take place in German.