Knowledge Hub

CPEA and its members publish documents on various topics, which can be accessed here. The key thematic areas are:

Guide to Climate Positive Building Stock

Published by DGNB on Mar 1, 2023

The building materials selection has a major influence on the overall result of a sustainable building. But what really matters when it comes to choosing materials? And what information is really relevant, far from trends and marketing statements? The report “Building materials and sustainability” provides planners and builders with principles and methods to guide them in their material decisions. At the same time, it creates a basis for communication with building product manufacturers. In a compact form with numerous graphics, checklists and a selection of building material alternatives, it motivates implementation.

Find the German version here.

A sustainable, fair and beautiful built environment to address the climate and biodiversity crisis

Published by ACE on Oct 28, 2021

The document addresses the urgent need to transform the built environment to combat the climate and biodiversity crisis. It advocates for a holistic, quality-focused approach that extends beyond energy efficiency to encompass economic, social, environmental, and cultural values. Emphasizing renovation over demolition, it calls for applying circular economy principles and designing resilient habitats. The document cites European initiatives and frameworks supporting these goals, urging global policy-makers to take action.

The facade of the future

Published by ÖGNI on Mar 1, 2023

The building materials selection has a major influence on the overall result of a sustainable building. But what really matters when it comes to choosing materials? And what information is really relevant, far from trends and marketing statements? The report “Building materials and sustainability” provides planners and builders with principles and methods to guide them in their material decisions. At the same time, it creates a basis for communication with building product manufacturers. In a compact form with numerous graphics, checklists and a selection of building material alternatives, it motivates implementation.

Find the German version here.

Building for a better world

Published by DGNB on Feb 8, 2021

The publication “Building for a better world” shows how buildings can contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It introduces the reader to the topic of sustainable development and highlights that up to 15 SDGs are addressed through sustainable construction. Using the example of erecting new buildings, using and operating buildings and developing districts, the report shows that the DGNB certification system can be used as a planning tool to translate the SDGs into real projects. Sustainable development thus becomes tangible.

Find the German version here.

Framework for carbon neutral buildings and sites

Published by DGNB on Aug 13, 2020

In the Framework, the DGNB has compiled its definition of carbon neutrality as well as the corresponding explanations regarding procedures. The aim is to create clarity on the market and to educate all stakeholders with regard to effective optimisation approaches for reducing the CO2 emissions of their properties. Among other things, the Framework describes the rules for CO2 accounting of buildings and sites. It also serves as a basis for developing building-specific climate action strategies. Additionally, requirements and possibilities for CO2 reporting and quality assurance are presented.

Find the German version here.

Buildings & Energy

Published by ÖGNI on Apr 28, 2020

The advancing digitalization in the construction and building sector is already contributing to significant changes. Energy management is becoming a central issue. As an integrative component of building automation, it contributes to increasing energy efficiency and using renewable energies more efficiently. Active energy services can be realized, for example, through additional storage options in the building. If such a building acts as a grid-supported storage facility, it actively contributes to relieving the load on the electricity grid. A suitable management of consumers, electricity storage facilities, generation plants and charging stations is essential, however. A platform is needed that connects, measures and controls all devices in order to generate the ideal energy flow and also distribute surplus energy in a sensible manner.

Find the German version here.

Climate positive: now!

Published by DGNB on Mar 23, 2020

The publication “Climate positive: now!” shows how every building can make a contribution to climate protection and offers assistance in the form of pragmatic and practical implementation. It provides more detailed background information on why the construction and real estate sector plays a central role in climate protection and why a paradigm shift is needed in the way we treat our buildings. In addition, areas of action are named that have a significant influence on making buildings climate-neutral.

Find the German version here.

NO MORE EXCUSES – Sustainable is the new normal

Published by DGNB on Mar 21, 2019

The fact that our current lifestyle is not doing our environment any good isn’t breaking news at the time of this current IPCC report. When it comes to actively applying solutions, however, too many people hide behind the two small words: “yes” and “but”. Why it is time to turn this “yes, but” into a “yes, count me in!”, and how this can succeed is addressed in this publication. It clears up the most common prejudices about sustainable building and vividly demonstrates why sustainable construction is essential.

Find the German version here.

Catalogue of the exhibition 20 Architectural Projects Against Climate Change

Published by ACE in Mar 2018 Architecture is a powerful source of solutions to challenges posed by climate change. As demonstrated by the 20 projects featured in the ACE booklet, it is possible to design urban spaces that are capable of dealing with extreme weather conditions, while at the same time adding new qualities to the urban space; and to design low carbon buildings while increasing occupants’ comfort and well-being.

Sustainability & Digitization

Published by ÖGNI on Feb 22, 2023

Is there a connection between sustainability and digitization? Is digitization automatically sustainable? If so, how is sustainability defined in connection with digitization? These questions were addressed by experts from the construction and real estate industry within the framework of the ÖGNI working group “Digitization”. In the course of developing this position paper, the working group came to the conclusion: Improving sustainability in the real estate sector is not possible without digitization! This synergy between digitization and sustainability can only work if data is available and sustainability can hence be made measurable and thus also comprehensible / tangible. Numerous properties are not yet in a position to record and provide the values for measurable sustainability. Find the German version here..

Find the German version here.

Digitalisation within the Architectural Profession

Published by ACE on Jan 4, 2023

Digitalisation of the various economic sectors (including the professional services sector and, therefore, also that of architects) is now seen as one of the main tools to ensure a rapid implementation of the EU Green Deal. This study is strategic as it is important to have knowledge of the level of digitalisation of European architects in order to make the political actions necessary for increasing the use of digital tools and for actively managing the transformations of the profession connected to these tools.

An Introduction to BIM

Published by ACE in 2019

The purpose of this guide is to give some answers on how to deal with the challenge of rapidly progressing digitization in the construction industry. This guide is about what can be done now to bring value to architects, projects, partners who are working in a fast-evolving digital environment. How can architects improve their IT capabilities and expand their traditionally visual, geometry-based form of communication to include alphanumeric data associated with BIM models and data objects/building parts? This guide explains the relations between the architect’s scope of service and the use of digital 3D models. This guide explains key findings in established European BIM practice.

Liveable and fit for the future

Published by DGNB on Apr 25, 2019

We spend up to 90 percent of our time in buildings. We live, learn and work in them, we have contact with our fellow humans, seek shelter from external influences, and in the best case they provide us with space for recuperation. Yet, do people really take account of this central role during the design of buildings or their conversion? This publication creates a bridge: Between the designers and architects with their ideas and their expert knowledge on the one side, to the people who have the responsibility of making sure that employees and customers, residents and guests, students and school pupils, have an adequate working, living, and learning environment.

Find the German version here.

Benchmarks in operation

Published by ÖGNI on Feb 04, 2019

ÖGNI has set itself the task, together with the participants of the working group “benchmarks in operation”, of defining criteria that describe these comfortable room conditions. We want to convert comfort into verifiable and comprehensible values. In addition to definitions for comfort ranges for criteria such as room air temperature, CO2 content, light quality or room humidity, this position paper also deals with requirements for technical building equipment and its maintenance, the importance of data monitoring and the correct analysis of these measured data. In addition, we have tried to describe the future requirements for facility management and to point out the possibilities of digitization in the real estate industry.

Find the German version here.

REHVA position paper on indoor air quality

Published by REHVA on Nov 06, 2013

REHVA IAQ policy position paper on indoor air quality and climate addressing policy makers and authorities. The paper points out the potential conflicts between energy efficiency, occupancy and indoor air quality and climate. It uses the result of the HealthVent project and other EU projects, and is linked to the work of a new REHVA Task Force aiming at preparing further position papers in the future on Indoor Environment.

Building Materials and Sustainability

Circular Economy: Stop Talking - Start Acting!

Published by ÖGNI on Aug 11, 2022

A circular economy is regenerative by design, contributes to climate neutrality and promotes a sustainable, high-quality industry. Digital innovation, climate protection, and the creation of regional jobs lead to an increase in the resilience of local economies and enable greater independence from global supply chains.The construction industry is particularly affected by this due to a diverse and branched value chain, but at the same time has enormous potential as a result. The creation of a circular economy requires a broad network of partnerships and alliances between both new and established players in order to jointly create a completely new economic system. It requires a change in the business models of all actors involved in this value chain. The working group and the ÖGNI are committed to ensure that this transformation towards a circular economy succeeds.

Find the German version here.

Circular Economy: Closing loops means being fit for the future

Published by DGNB on Sep 18, 2019

In recent years the term “circular economy” has become more widespread and has also become a relevant topic in construction. The concept upon which the circular economy is based has great potential: The availability of resources should be ensured for future generations through their appreciation, as well as reuse and recovery. The circular economy is therefore an elementary building block of sustainability and it transfers sustainability to society and its individual sectors.

Find the German version here.

Architecture Policies in Europe. A panorama of the actors, policies and tools

Published by ACE in Dec 2023

This study provides an overview of the origins and spread of architectural policies across the continent, the institutional actors involved, the different types of policy approaches, the main policy tools with examples of a wide range of initiatives focused on the promotion of design quality. This is followed by an assessment of the impact of European architecture policies in the development of similar policies by the EU Member States, as well as the impact of national/regional architectural policies in processes of urban design governance and its main limitations. The study reveals the positive impact of architectural policies in promoting high-quality architecture and the built environment as a goal of public policies at European, national, regional and local levels.

CPEA Position: Draft Taxonomy Circular Economy / Biodiversity

Published by CPEA in Sept 2021

The European Sustainable Finance Platform has published the first draft of the requirements for environmental objectives on circular economy and biodiversity as part of the EU taxonomy. The Climate Positive Europe Alliance (CPEA) participated in the consultation and published a corresponding position paper. For the environmental objective “circular economy”, it is recommended that the economic activities “new construction” and “deconstruction” should not be considered separately. Furthermore, the terms “reuse” and “recycle” should be defined more clearly. The requirements of the environmental objectives “biodiversity” are not ambitious enough in the opinion of CPEA and its members.

Feedback on the EU Taxonomy Circular Economy criteria

Published by CPEA

Together with its members, CPEA gave feedback on the EU Taxonomy Circular Economy criteria. “CPEA welcomes the Commissions work regarding the EU Taxonomy Circular Economy criteria as a valuable trigger to speed up the much-needed sectoral transition and is fully supportive of the overall concept and thinking behind the revised criteria for a transition to a Circular Economy. However, we are concerned regarding their level of ambition which may turn out to be challenging in terms of large-scale market application. To avoid creating uncertainty in the market, we deem it necessary to provide unambiguous definitions of scope and methodologies or, alternatively, to align the proposed criteria with existing and tested methodologies and tools.”

ACE priorities for the revision of the EPBD

Published by ACE

The Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) has outlined strategic objectives and priorities for the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The ACE aims to foster high-quality architecture, implement a whole life approach to legislation, ensure building performance validation, and promote low embodied carbon and deep retrofitting. They advocate for sustainable finance incentives and robust legal instruments to support decarbonization, improve indoor environmental quality, and enhance resilience and circularity in the EU building stock.

REHVA position paper on the European Commission review of the Energy Labelling Directive (2010/30/EU) and the Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC)

Published by REHVA on Sept 30, 2013

REHVA comments on the European Commission review of the Energy Labelling Directive (2010/30/EU) and the Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC). The following recommendations are made: Ecodesign and Energy Labelling regulations have to be coordinated with other linked legislation (EPBD) and product certification processes including the work of CEN; Stakeholders should be involved during the entire regulatory process and informed about changes within the legislation; The problem of contradictions between health, environmental and energy efficiency requirements has to be handled; EU level support is necessary in the field of market surveillance and information

Keep an overview of sustainable building

Published by DGNB on Apr 23, 2019

This brochure explains the function and application of the construction product platform DGNB Navigator. The DGNB Navigator combines the information offer from the manufacturers with the enquiries of designers on the one platform. Furthermore, it represents an important bridge between construction products and the DGNB certification system for buildings, in that it provides the requested data for the building’s certification in accordance with DGNB.

Life Cycle Assessment – a guide on using the LCA

Published by DGNB on Nov 29, 2018

These guidelines aim to promote the increased use of life cycle assessments in the planning process, by demonstrating the relevance and potential of this tool. Designers and building contractors are additionally provided with arguments for employing these methods as an optimisation tool as early as possible in the planning and implementation process, and the sustainability effects that can be achieved as a result of this are emphasised. Furthermore, the reader is presented with examples of how the results of life cycle assessments are communicated and can serve as supporting arguments for making more environmentally sensible decisions in the course of the planning process.

Find the German version here.

Value and Effect of Sustainability Measures in the Built Environment through Certification

Published by RFBB on Jan 28, 2026

Certification schemes such as DGNB, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, BREEAM and LEED are among the most widely used tools for working systematically with sustainability initiatives in the construction and real estate sector, both in Denmark and internationally. Today, around half of all major Danish construction projects are certified. This study addresses the knowledge gap on the economic, environmental and social value of certifications and assesses the value of certification schemes in a Danish context. This knowledge is essential to strengthen the decision-making basis and support future choices regarding certification within the industry.

A Human Rights Due Diligence Guide For The Danish Construction Sector

Published by RFBB on Nov 02, 2023

As EU initiatives under the EU Green Deal,CSRD and the proposed CSDDD aim is to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behavior and to anchor human rights and environmental considerations in companies’ operations and governance. This guide provides inspiration to actors within the construction sector on due diligence, as well an overview of potential human rights challenges and mitigation measures to consider across the construction value chain.

ESG in Construction and Real Estate Market Insights Report

Published by CPEA on Sept 2023

Against a background of a rapid rise in construction and real estate market engagement with ESG related topics and discourses and an equally growing number of ESG initiatives, this new report by the CPEA ESG Working Group provides a snapshot of where different European players within the construction and the real estate industry currently stand in relation to ESG strategy development, implementation and related disclosures, looking at drivers, risks and challenges and potential solutions.

Circular Economy Taxonomy Study - Assessing the market-readiness of the proposed Circular Economy EU Taxonomy criteria for buildings

Published by CPEA in Feb 2023

In this study, a study consortium of seven organisations were joined by 29 market participants from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands and Turkey. The proposed Circular Economy Taxonomy criteria for building activities were applied to 38 real building case studies. The study gives valuable insights into challenges, which were faced by the financial and real estate organisations and provides recommendations and practical solutions for applying the criteria.

Circular Economy Taxonomy Study - Assessing the market-readiness of the proposed Circular Economy EU Taxonomy criteria for buildings

Published by CPEA in Mar 2021

For this study, four of Europe’s most renowned Green Building Councils were joined by 23 financial and real estate organisations. The proposed Taxonomy criteria for building activities were applied to 62 real building case studies. The study gives insights into challenges the market participants faced and provides practical solutions and recommendations for applying sustainability criteria in financial transactions.

Quality Management: De‐Risking Green Investments in Building Projects

Published by REHVA in 2020

Investments into sustainable building projects will need to be multiplied on a large scale and accelerated if the EU wants to accomplish carbon‐ neutrality in the coming decades. Unfortunately, many building projects show a significant gap between expected energy performance in the design phase and the real performance in operation. Quality Management Services help to de‐risk investments into green buildings. This publication introduces the QUEST Technical Manual, the QUEST Tool and the QUEST Data Engine and explains how their application can support de-risking of of green real estate investments.