Experiences from the Implementation of the Assessment System for Sustainable Building (BNB) in Germany

Abstract

Sustainability is one of the most important challenges for the future. Sustainable building is therefore an important component of the national sustainability strategy in Germany. The Federal Ministry of Building has developed instruments to implement its ambitious goals with the Guideline and the Assessment System for Sustainable Building (BNB). The aim was, to implement federal building on a sustainable basis and to assume an exemplary role for other public clients. This strategy has been successful to date. The combination of mandatory introduction and exemplary effect has motivated some federal states already introducing sustainability assessment with the BNB in their area of responsibility, while others are testing this approach at least with the launch of pilot projects. In order to support implementation, instruments and tools for the application of the BNB were developed as part of the national "Future Building" research initiative. An important step is the introduction of the Electronic Assessment System for Sustainable Building (eBNB). It enables the recording and control of all parameters necessary for the effective implementation of the requirements of sustainable building. As part of an ongoing scientific monitoring, the implementation will be evaluated on the basis of the federal buildings currently completed and certified by the BNB. So far, the BNB certifications show that even high sustainability requirements can be economically implemented.