The bæredygtighedsklasse (sustainability class) is a voluntary building class within the Danish building regulations BR18. It sets stricter requirements for buildings’ carbon footprint, indoor climate and resource use — beyond the legally required minimum standards. It signals high sustainability ambition to the market.
Why does it matter to you?
If you’re building or renovating with ambitions beyond minimum compliance, the sustainability class provides a concrete framework. It offers:
- A clear standard to design towards
- Credible documentation for investors, tenants and municipalities
- A foundation for green financing (e.g. ESG loans or green bonds)
Municipalities can in certain cases require the sustainability class in tenders and partnership agreements.
Requirements in the sustainability class
BR18’s sustainability class has requirements across three areas:
1. Climate impact (LCA): A lower CO₂ limit than the base class — typically 10 kg CO₂-eq/m²/year versus the legal minimum of 12 kg.
2. Indoor climate: Documentation for thermal comfort, daylight, air quality and acoustics.
3. Resource use: Requirements for water consumption and waste management during construction.
Relation to international certifications
The sustainability class is inspired by and compatible with international certification systems like DGNB (German), BREEAM (British) and LEED (American) — but is anchored in Danish law and requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is the sustainability class mandatory?
No, it’s voluntary. But it may be required in municipal tenders and partnership agreements.
What does it cost to achieve the sustainability class?
Documentation requires LCA calculations and an indoor climate analysis — typically DKK 30,000–100,000 extra. In practice, the requirements often drive design and material choices with a cost premium of 5–15%.
Is there an official certificate for the sustainability class?
The sustainability class is documented as part of the planning permission process. There is no separate diploma, but it appears in the building permit.