Certifications for sustainable construction

Sustainability certificates distinguish the quality of sustainably built MPG buildings

As in research, the Max Planck Society also aims to have a good reputation in sustainable construction. Certifications awarded attest to the fact that the specified quality criteria were met during the planning and implementation of our measures. When constructing new buildings as well as renovating existing ones, it is essential to consider the entire life cycle in order to achieve sustainability goals.

Climate neutrality

Germany's path to climate neutrality is laid out in the Climate Protection Act. By the end of the decade, greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by 65 percent compared to 1990. This also has an impact on the building sector. The MPG is also striving for a better carbon footprint and wants to achieve climate neutrality in research operations by 2035. There is a lot of potential for energy savings and efficiency as well as for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the construction and operation of our properties. However, climate activities are usually associated not only with savings potential in operations but also with financing requirements for initial investments. In addition, in everything we do, we must ensure that the people working at the institutes are taken along with us. The transformation towards greater sustainability must be accompanied by a change in habits in many areas. The Max Planck Society's guidelines for sustainable construction define the quality of the company's new construction and renovation projects and describe the processes that must be followed to achieve these qualities and goals

Certification systems such as those of BNB and GDNB enable comparability according to international standards. In addition to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, quality criteria include energy efficiency, climate neutrality, resource conservation and a significant reduction in land use while preserving biodiversity. The Max Planck Society takes into account the economic, ecological and social aspects required for sustainable construction when carrying out its construction projects, both at individual Institutes and in campus structures.