Our Actions

Focus 2023: Building and Housing

Focus on Sustainable Building and Housing

One of our focus topics for 2023 is Sustainable Building and Housing, a subject that is derived from one of the six transformation areas of the German Sustainable Development Strategy, making some of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) more tangible. We have planned various activities on the topic of Sustainable Building and Housing. Furthermore, in our How-to Guides we will also present options for how you can become active yourself in your organisation.

Why Sustainable Building and Housing?

The building sector, both in Germany and around the world, is one of the main headaches affecting the transition to sustainability: some 40% of greenhouse gas emissions are incurred by the construction and operation of buildings and the associated infrastructure*; half of all waste produced by western industrialised countries comes from construction and demolition; and the renovation of existing building stock has stalled at lower levels, despite being vital for climate change mitigation. In short, we need the transition now more than ever – towards climate neutrality, a circular economy and efficient use of resources!

Housing has for years been one of the most pressing issues in Germany – and the housing crisis is only getting worse: while in city regions, prices for both rental and home ownership are soaring, some rural areas are seeing more and more properties lie empty. Social divisions are becoming entrenched. At the same time, we are taking up more and more living space in terms of square metres per person, while Germany’s overall population is growing in numbers but also in age. Clearly, we must provide more affordable housing and ensure both city and countryside are worth living in.

The impact of investment decisions vis-à-vis building and housing will be felt for decades to come – and this applies globally too. Where will our raw materials come from – and how do we make supply chains sustainable and resilient? Whether locally grown wood or rare raw materials from the Global South – good, decent working conditions and operating in harmony with nature must take centre stage here.

*Source: Umweltbundesamt

Sustainable Development Goals in the spotlight

The following Sustainable Development Goals were identified in the German Sustainability Strategy to contribute to the building and housing transition:

Initiatives to get involved

To examine the topic from all sides, present best practice examples and explore new solutions together, the Joint Action for Sustainable Development has planned the following initiatives:

Bauwende unterwegs

Also coming up, in partnership with the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), is the “Bauwende unterwegs” [Building transition underway] series. Beginning in May 2023, this will see us visiting and profiling selected pioneering projects for sustainable building from all over Germany and discussing how we can scale up their innovative solutions for wider use. Our next stops:

Darmstadt, Alnatura Headquarters / May 22, 2023 (2:30-5:30 pm) - Focus Topic: "Sustainable Building Materials"
Dresden, CUBE / June 27, 2023 (4-6 pm) - Focus Topic: "Carbon Concrete"
Bad Aibling / July 21, 2023 (4-6 pm) - Focus Topic: "Simply Building"
Hamburg, CCH (requested) / August 2023 (4-6 pm) - Focus Topic: "Redevelopment"
Freiburg, Neues Rathaus / September 15, 2023 (1- 4 pm) - Focus Topic: "Climate Positive Building"
Bonn, GIZ Campus / November 16, 2023 (4-6 pm) - Focus Topic: "Space Concepts"
Berlin, Wilmina Hotel / December 14, 2023 (4-6 pm) - Focus Topic: "Conversion of Use"
Closing Event: Berlin / December 15, 2023 (from 9:30 am)

Are you interested in finding out about exciting projects on this topic in your area? Just drop by at one of the stops near you!

Cooperation partners

Pictures from our stops

Transformathon

Together with the German Sustainability Award (DNP), we are planning an open social innovation process, aka “Transformathon”. The first stage is to establish the core challenges on the topic. Then, in a 48-hour sprint, existing solutions to these challenges can be identified and new ideas developed. Selected project ideas will then be progressed with expert and financial support. The initiative is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB).

Would you like to get involved in this innovative process by identifying, contributing and implementing solutions? It kicks off in June! Until then, you can sign up for our newsletter if you want to stay up to date.

Cooperation partners

Does your organisation want to play an active part in the building transition?

Here are some ways you can get involved:

Share your best practice examples with the community

Organise your own event on the topic of Sustainable Building and Housing in your region

Get the building transition started in your organisation – whether a museum, sports club, local authority or family business

Here you can find How-to guides for getting your organization started on our way to the sustainable transition in the Building and Housing sector. If you happen to know about more material that you would like to share with us, you can write us an email.