DGNB
Both DGNB and WELL are well-known tools, and both already have clearly defined requirements in terms of being able to achieve the different certifications. This also applies to DGNB Heart, despite this being a relatively new certification, which has been developed alongside the UN17 Village concept. DGNB focuses on all three facets of sustainability: environmental, social and economic.
The environmental part of DGNB includes a focus on the life cycle of building materials, transport, energy and water use during and after construction, and durability. The economic aspect focuses on construction costs and operation, maintenance and flexibility. The new DGNB Heart ensures a clear focus on social sustainability, leading to a broader focus on concept and a healthy indoor climate.
WELL
WELL is all about social sustainability in terms of the physical framework for construction, and also during the operational phase. This means that work is carried out on initiatives such as access to healthy meals, updated informational materials on healthy eating and exercise, health screening offers etc. – measures conducted during the operational phase which will ultimately safeguard the health and well-being of residents.
The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals
The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by world leaders at the UN General Assembly in 2015 to ensure progress towards a far more sustainable world by 2030. The Global Goals comprise 17 main goals and 169 sub-goals which together form a joint vision and a global tool with concrete proposals for what a sustainable future means and what changes are required.