Tools

The DGNB System for Buildings is a planning and optimization tool for sustainable buildings. The tool evaluates the environmental, economic, sociocultural / functional, technical and process quality of projects. There are different types of certifications available across the life cycle of buildings: (1) DNGB pre-certification for new constructions, (2) DNGB certificate for new constructions, (3) DNGB certificate for buildings in use (plus a recertification option), (4) DNBG certificate for existing buildings, (5) DNGB certificate for renovated buildings and (6) DNGB certificate for dismantling. Assessments are undertaken by independent, DNGB-trained auditors. DNGB undertakes a final conformity check before the certification is awarded.

The Good Practice Handbook on Cumulative Impact Assessments (CIAs) proposes a six-step process to assist private sector companies in emerging markets in identifying and managing the cumulative impacts and risks related to their business activities. CIAs analyze the cumulative impacts on valued environmental and social components generated by a planned project or activity in combination with multiple other projects, actions and activities. This way, the assessment reflects the geographical and temporal context in which the effects are aggregating and interacting. The tool should be used in combination with the IFC Performance Standards and the World Bank Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines.

The Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) helps to understand sustainability conditions of cities across environmental, social and economic aspects. It measures the sustainability of buildings across diverse quality criteria against the environmental load defined as CO2 emissions per capita per year. The resulting sustainability qualification supports the development of effective sustainability measures. The CASBEE tool family for building scale offers a broad range of assessments for single buildings, including new constructions (CASBEE-NC), existing buildings (CASBEE-EB), renovation (CASBEE-RN) and temporary construction (CASBEE-TC), among others.

ActionABLE is a resource primarily developed for infrastructure project developers and project managers to identify actions to be included during implementation to improve sustainable, resilient, and inclusive outcomes. ActionABLE can help inform early stages of project development, such as in conceptualisation, opportunity development, and proposal development. The tool provides real-world and practical actions to ensure the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sustainable and inclusive infrastructure projects across thematic areas: Climate Adaptation, Climate Mitigation and GESI.

EnABLE supports countries’ development through better planning, delivery and management of infrastructures. The tool is designed to help governments identify the gaps or bottlenecks that are inhibiting their ability to deliver sustainable and resilient infrastructure. Based on these gaps, EnABLE can be used to support the identification of potential solutions, develop a pipeline of projects to build national, state, city, or ministerial capacity using technical and advisory services and to show progress against a measured baseline. EnABLE was initially developed in 2018 and was previously called the Capacity Assessment Tool for Infrastructure (CAT-I).

FundABLE is a new tool being developed by UNOPS to support a structured approach to identifying potential sources of finance for financing an infrastructure project or national infrastructure pipeline. FundABLE can help bridge the gap between governments and infrastructure financiers to accelerate the implementation of infrastructure projects for sustainable, resilient and inclusive development.

BREEAM Communities International Technical Standard is a tool to measure and certify and perspectively improve the sustainability of large-scale development plans. The tool assesses projects’ environmental, social and economic performance and provides key target benchmarks that assist decision makers in better understanding the long-term impacts of their projects. Thereby, the tool supports the integration of sustainability principles and goals already during the early planning and design stages of projects. After the assessment, an independent third-party verification takes place and successful projects receive certification.

BREEAM Buildings Technical Standard is a sustainability assessment method for the building sector with individual standards for (1) New Constructions, (2) In-Use Buildings and (3) Refurbishments. The tool assesses the environmental, social and economic sustainability performance of buildings, with the aim to enhance buildings’ economic and social value whilst mitigating environmental impacts and enhancing user satisfaction. After the assessment, an independent third-party verification takes place and successful projects receive certification. A pre-approval version for planning processes is available.

BEAM Plus Neighbourhood assesses the sustainability performance of neighbourhood development projects applying a holistic approach. The tool concerns the design of space between buildings and places emphasis on socio-economic elements, thereby supporting the creation of sustainable neighbourhoods with a vibrant public realm. Applied at early stage, it helps to engage with communities and key stakeholders during project development and to save resources through effective early stage sustainability planning. The performance of projects is rated with a point scoring that can result in a third-party verified certification.

BEAM Plus Buildings supports the reduction of environmental impacts of new buildings of any type (residential, commercial and industrial), while at the same time improving environmental quality and user satisfaction. The assessment can also be used when planning for a major refurbishment or alteration, including wholesale or partial conversion. The performance of buildings is rated with a point scoring that can result in a certification. A provisional assessment version and a version for existing building (BEAM Plus Existing Buildings V2.0), including a comprehensive and a selective scheme option for individual adjustments, are available.