Sustainability in Buildings

When buildings are constructed, CO2 is emitted during the production of building materials. This is further impacted by potential replacements, waste management, and possibly landfill at the end of the building’s life. The total CO2 emissions from materials over the building’s lifetime are considered the building’s embodied CO2. 

We can help you calculate the CO2 footprint of different scenarios, such as demolition, new construction, renovation, or transformation, so that choices can be made based on an informed foundation.    

We can also map existing buildings, including their structures and materials. This mapping highlights the potential for reuse and recycling in future projects. 

The choice of materials plays a significant role in the environmental impact and total economy of both renovation projects and new construction. The environmental impact of materials is assessed through a life cycle assessment (LCA), which includes the environmental effects of the materials from production to end of life. The results place particular emphasis on the CO2 emissions of the materials. However, it is also possible to assess materials in categories such ozone depletion, photochemical ozone formation, acidification, eutrophication, energy consumption, water use, and others.  

The total economy (LCC) of the materials is assessed by calculating their net present value. Based on the LCA, LCC, and indoor climate evaluations, a recommendation is made for material selection. 

A screening of a building is used to gain an overview of the buildings condition and the types of materials available. All constructions and material quantities are recorded to assess both the CO2 potential and the economic potential. This may serve as a basis preservation but also in cases of demolition and transformation, to evaluate the potential for reuse of buildings materials.   

A DGNB certification goes beyond the minimum requirements of the Danish Building Regulations and serves as tools for realising ambitious sustainability goals. At Transitions, we have experience with DGNB certification across various building typologies, including both new construction and transformation projects. We can advise you on all aspects of the DGNB process. This includes individual elements such as LCA, LCC, daylight, biotic index, and all other criteria. We can also support the entire certification process, either by taking on the role of DGNB Auditor or by acting as DGNB Consultant on the project.  

The process:

1. SCREENING, GOALS, & FOCUS 
   At the beginning of the project, DGNB consultants review the existing conditions and potentials. The result is the development of a Sustainability plan with clear and defined requirements.  In this phase, expectations and responsibilities for meeting the sustainability targets are aligned with the client and the rest of the project team.  
2. RESPONSIBILITY & DELIVERY 
   The DGBN Auditor defines responsibilities across the projects team and aligns DGNB milestones with the overall project schedule. This ensures that the right decisions are made at the right time during the process.  
3. PROCESS & PROGRESS 
   The Auditor and Consultant manage the process throughout the entire certification journey, collecting documentation, descriptions, and evaluations. 

We offer competency programmes for companies, municipalities, and consultants who need support in navigating the constantly evolving landscape of sustainability and construction. This can take the form of presentations for specific departments or groups or companies. It can also involve more comprehensive programmes within an organisation, where both management and key employees are engaged. In these programmes, we conduct workshops to identify the organisation’s current position in relation to sustainability in construction and explore how this position can be developed through concrete actions.  

A common goal for all types of competency programmes is to equip organisations to stay ahead of trends, existing and upcoming requirements, and strategic opportunities in the construction industry   

Each programme begins with an introductory meeting to discuss the organisation’s needs and expectations, ensuring that the programme is tailored to the specific context and situation.  

Focus areas in our competency programmes may include:  

• Biobased and reused materials 

• Biodiversity  

• Sustainability certifications 

• Circular construction 

• Communicating your initiatives and actions 

• Life cycle assessment and Enviromental product declarations (EPD)  

• Legislation – Building Regulations, EU Taxonomy, EED, and EPBD 

• Prioritising sustainability efforts 

• Renovation and transformation