DGNB Int. 2020 (Env 1.1 & 2.1)

This guidance supports One Click LCA’s DGNB International 2020 tool, which is designed to achieve points for criteria ENV1.1 and ENV 2.1. All available resources are compliant with DGNB requirements for data quality, specific to the scheme.

The purpose of ENV 1.1 and ENV 2.1 DGNB criteria is to complete a Life Cycle Assessment of a construction to evaluate a building’s environmental and energy performance, taking into account the embodied and operational impacts and compare the results with a reference building. The building LCA should be conducted as early in the planning phase as possible, so it can serve as an instrument for improving the ecological quality of the building.

The calculation of the production phase (A1-A3) includes the structural components specified below (see DGNB System – New buildings criteria set, VERSION 2020 INTERNATIONAL; p. 68 - 70).

For partial calculation method

• (1) External and basement walls – perimeter insolation and only mineral / metal-based core materials e.g. concrete incl. reinforcement, concrete blocks, bricks etc. No other layers e.g. cladding, painting, plastering, adhesives etc.
• (2) Roofs – perimeter insulation and only mineral / metal-based materials e.g. concrete incl. reinforcement
• (3) Internal floors and ceilings – only mineral / metal-based core structures and elements e.g. concrete incl. reinforcement without floor coverings, coatings, adhesives etc.
• (4) Ground-level floor – perimeter insulation and only mineral / metal-based core construction materials e.g. concrete incl. reinforcement and.
• (5) Foundations3 - only mineral / metal-based materials e.g. concrete incl. reinforcement
• (6) Internal walls – only mineral / metal-based materials e.g. concrete incl. reinforcement, concrete blocks, bricks, No other layers e.g. painting, plastering, adhesives etc.
• (7) Load bearing structure – all mineral / metal-based materials e.g. concrete incl. reinforcement, metal columns, beams etc.

For simplified calculation method

• (1) External walls (including doors and windows) and basement walls
• (2) Roofs
• (3) Internal floors and ceilings (including floor structures and floor coverings and coatings)
• (4) Ground-level floor (including floor construction and floor coverings and coatings, as well as floors above open space)
• (5) Foundations
• (6) Internal walls and doors (including coatings and internal columns)
• (7) Heating and cooling systems and air conditioning systems
• (8) Other building installations (e.g. photovoltaic systems or the use of solar collectors)
• (9) In individual cases: User equipment with considerable energy consumption in the use phase (if suitable life cycle assessment data is available for them, such as refrigerated counters and cold storage rooms), these can be described in more detail depending on their usage here.

For complete calculation method

Materials must be considered if they meet at least one of the following cut-off criteria (with ignored materials not exceeding 5%):

• They constitute more than 1% of the building’s total mass.
• For plastics and renewable materials, their total primary energy demand (PEtot) exceeds 2% of the building’s total primary energy demand.
• For coatings, their summer smog potential (POCP) exceeds 2% of the building’s total POCP.

For the complete calculation method, all materials that fulfil at least one of the cut-off criteria have to be considered. You can find them in the criteria catalog on 

Specific data requirements

DGNB does not allow the use of One Click LCA generic data, which means that the availability of data in the DGNB tools can differ from other calculation tools. Please take this into consideration if you are pursuing multiple certifications for the same project. 

In order to successfully complete your calculations in One Click LCA with this tool, please follow the workflow below.

1. Set up the Life Cycle Assessment (calculation) parameters

When setting your LCA parameters for your design, make sure to select “product-specific service life” for your service life values for materials, as this setting is mandatory for DGNB. If you need to adjust the parameters, click ‘Parameters’, then “Input data: LCA parameters”.

2. Include the material data

Fill in the Building materials query of the design either manually or by import.

3. Include the energy consumption

Fill in the Energy consumption input form by choosing the local energy data and inputting annual consumption based on your energy calculations for your project.

4. Include the reference values

Fill in the reference values query. The reference values are used to calculate the environmental impacts of your reference building. Reference building impacts will be calculated using environmental impact factors set by DGNB.

In DGNB International (2020) for New Buildings, the reference values for environmental indicators are comprised of:

• A fixed aspect for construction-related emissions from building, maintenance, and disposal. You can find resources for this in the “Core reference values” section.
• A variable aspect for use-related emissions. These are calculated from the reference building’s electricity and heating demand (final energy), that is determined in accordance with the energy performance certificate (EPC; or standardised energy simulation), multiplied by predefined environmental profile factors. You can find resources for heating and electricity in the “Additional reference values” section.

In the Reference Values Tab, you can also set your Calculation Method:
The main difference between the methodologies is different LCA scope. The complete calculation method requires more detailed information but can provide you with a more precise outcome. The simplified method is easier to complete but requires at least 10% markup to your results, whilst the partial calculation method results in a top up of at least 35%. Pay attention that all necessary materials are included according to the calculation methodology you choose, since cut-off criteria may apply. Follow the respective calculation rules for your method.

5. Fill in the calculation period query.

This is the service life of your building. The calculation period defined in the DGNB Intl system from 2020 for new buildings is 50 years, expect for production and logistic buildings. For these, the reference period should be set as 20 years.

6. Fill in ‘Building area’ query as specified for your scheme

Enter the area of your actual building: NRF (Netto-Raumfläche as specified in DIN 277). The software also requires entering the Gross Internal Floor Area (IPMS/RICS) for benchmarking purposes.

7. Click on Results to see gained DGNB checklist points.

The first 5 columns refer to GWP and other environmental indicators, whilst the last 3 columns concern energy metrics.

8. Submit all required documentation

Follow the DGNB scheme list of required documentation for your scheme and method.

Download your results to Excel by clicking 'More actions' and 'DGNB Documentation'.

Copy and paste your data sources to Excel by clicking on ‘Data sources’ on the results page. A list of data sources you have used for your LCA will appear on the bottom of the page.

Older versions of DGNB Intl (2012-2015)

This part of the guidance addresses older versions of One Click LCA DGNB International, designed to achieve ENV1.1 and ENV 2.1 credits. All available resources are compliant with DGNB requirements for data quality, specific to each scheme. This now includes almost all type III EPD data.

The purpose of ENV 1.1 and ENV 2.1 DGNB criteria is to complete the Life Cycle Assessment of a building to evaluate the building’s environmental and energy performance, taking into account the embodied and operational impacts and comparing the results with reference building. The building LCA should be conducted as early in the planning phase as possible, so it can serve as an instrument for improving the ecological quality of the building.

Minimum scope of the materials (using simplified method)

• Foundations, floor slab
• Structural parts, columns
• Staircases
• Roofs
• Ceilings, floors (including finishes)
• External walls (including finishes), windows and external doors
• Internal walls (including finishes) and internal doors
• Central heating and cooling generation units

In order to successfully complete your calculations in One Click LCA, please follow the workflow below:

Specific data requirements

DGNB does not allow the use of One Click LCA generic data, which means that the availability of data in the DGNB tools can differ from other calculation tools. Please take this into consideration if you are pursuing multiple certifications for the same project. 

1. Choose the method you wish to use and insert your selection in the ‘Reference values’ question form, to the ‘Methodology’ question.
   
   Simplified or complete: The main difference between the methodologies is different LCA scopes. The complete method requires more detailed information but can provide you with more a precise outcome. The simplified method is easier to complete but requires 10% markup to your results. Pay attention that all necessary materials are included according to the calculation methodology you choose, since cut-off criteria may apply. Follow the respective calculation rules for your method.
   
   Including or excluding building technology from the LCA calculations (does not apply for DK scheme): You can optionally exclude the technology even if the material quantities are available to get your LCA results with less effort. Additional markup 10% will be added to results as specified in the scheme.
   
   
2. Fill in the Building materials question form of the design either manually or by import.
   Mark the class as specified in ECO 1.1 credit Appendix to the comment field.
   
3. Fill in the Energy consumption input form by choosing the local energy data and inputting annual consumption based on your energy calculations for your project.
   Energy calculations must be completed according to the DGNB requirements. Follow the LCEM methodology (As described in the ENV 1.1 Appendix).
   Save the inputs and proceed with entering information about your reference building to the ‘Reference values’ question form.
   
   
4. Enter Core reference and Additional reference values based on the building type and the DGNB scheme you follow.
   The reference values are used to calculate the environmental impacts of your reference building. Reference building impacts will be calculated using environmental impact factors set by DGNB.
   As a minimum include:
   • • m2NFAa/m3BRI of the reference building
     • Annual electricity and heat consumption of your reference building
     • If local values for the reference building are not available, use DGNB guidance to model your reference building.

5. Fill in the ‘Building area’ question form as specified for your scheme
Enter the area of your actual building NRF (Netto-Raumfläche as specified in DIN 277). The software also requires entering the Gross Internal Floor Area (IPMS/RICS), this is for benchmarking purposes.

6. Click on Results to see gained DGNB checklist points.
The first 5 columns indicate points for ENV 1.1 criterion, the last 2 columns indicate points for ENV 2.1 criterion.

7. Submit all required documentation
Follow the DGNB scheme list of required documentation for your scheme and method.
Download your results to Excel by clicking 'More actions' and 'DGNB Documentation'.



Copy and paste your data sources to excel by clicking on ‘Data sources’ on the results page. A list of data sources you have used for your LCA will appear at the bottom of the page.

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