DGNB and GLS Bank cooperate

"nWert", GLS Gemeinschaftsbank eG's sustainability rating tool for real estate, has been recognised by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) as a sustainability rating. At the same time, GLS Bank recognises the DGNB certificate as proof when granting financing. This was announced by Dr. Christine Lemaitre of the DGNB and Dr. Matthias Morgenstern, GLS ImmoWert, on the occasion of Expo Real 2021 in Munich.

"The recognition of nValue by the DGNB is a nice confirmation of our way of thinking about sustainability in a really comprehensive way and developing a robust but also valid assessment system for it," says Dr Matthias Morgenstern from GLS ImmoWert GmbH. The net value of a building reflects sustainability at a high level of aggregation and contributes to the decision on financing. It also provides the bank's customers with an objective assessment of the building at a glance. They receive a report on the nValue with a presentation of the strengths and potentials of the building and thus have a roadmap to achieve even better sustainability. In total, the Bank's colleagues have already audited over 800 projects.

"As the largest social-ecological bank in Germany, we aim to value real estate not only in monetary terms. We also want to know what social and ecological impact the properties we lend to have," says Jan Köpper, Head of Impact Transparency at GLS Bank. That is why GLS Bank has developed the tool "nWert". With this tool, a transparent, measurable and comparable sustainability rating can be calculated specifically for real estate and the lending process.

"With the recognition of its sustainability rating by the DGNB, GLS Bank is building an important bridge towards greater uniformity in the assessment of sustainable building projects as a basis for their financing," says Dr Christine Lemaitre, Executive Director of the DGNB. "With almost 8000 award-winning building and neighbourhood projects, DGNB certification has established itself as the central sustainability standard in the construction sector in Germany and beyond in recent years. The recognition of GLS Bank's sustainability rating is a valuable building block here that ultimately benefits customers."

The recognition is reciprocal. If a customer approaches GLS Bank with a DGNB certificate and a request for financing, this certificate is equally proof for GLS Bank of the sustainable properties of the building.

For about four years now, GLS Bank has been determining the nValue for real estate in addition to the market value and the mortgage lending value. The degree to which the building complies with a sustainable model is determined by analysing documents, interviewing people with knowledge of the property and visiting the site. Around 50 indicators are collected and converted into a score from 0 to 100 %.

You can find more information on the GLS Bank's nWert audit here:
gls.co.uk/corporate-institutions/industries/housing/sustainable-property/

Source: PM from DGNB and GLS dated 28.10.2021

Keywords: DE-News, DGNB, Sustainable management

Request to the Climate Cabinet: investment boost

Specifically, the ADFC is calling for the implementation of the measures drawn up by the transport commission "National Platform for the Future of Mobility" in the spring. In order to increase the cycling mode share from the current meagre eleven per cent to the Dutch level of at least 25 per cent by 2030, nationwide, continuous cycle path networks, fast cycle routes for commuters and freight transport and many millions of bicycle parking spaces at train stations and public facilities must be built. By optimising the expansion of cycling, up to 13.5 million tonnes of CO₂ must be saved. The Federal Government's Energy and Climate Fund must provide at least the 900 million euros per year estimated by the Transport Commission for this purpose. Peter's: "Germany can only achieve the climate targets in the transport sector if the potential of cycling is properly utilised. This potential will not unfold by itself, as the infrastructure has so far tended to discourage cycling. We need an immediate federal programme to finance inviting cycling infrastructure for everyone!"

...and more space for your bike

A new distribution of road space is essential for the climate-friendly transformation of transport. Until now, cars have occupied the lion's share of space in cities. The ADFC is calling for half of the road space to be used for mobility without cars. Peter's"It's not enough to put more money into the system. Wide, safe cycle paths first and foremost need space from car traffic. The federal government must give local authorities far-reaching options in traffic law to actually create this space."

Joint campaigns in many cities

In many cities, including Berlin, Bergisch-Gladbach, Bonn, Gelsenkirchen, Hanover and Munich, ADFC groups are taking part in the global climate strike under the slogan #MehrPlatzFürsRad or #CyclistsForFuture. In Bad Kreuznach, Esslingen, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Mainz and Nuremberg, ADFC groups are temporarily converting car parking spaces into cycle lanes, street cafés or bicycle parking spaces as part of the international ParkingDay.

Notes for editorial offices: The ADFC working paper on the National Platform Future of Mobility and the ADFC booklet "This is how a traffic turnaround works" can be found in the blue service box. The Strike card from Fridays for Future provides ongoing information about new campaign locations. The supporters of the climate strike are presented on www.klima-streik.org/buendnis.