Cooperation combines building greening and energy consulting

10.07.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The energy consultant association GIH and the Bundesverband Gebäudegrün (BuGG) will be working together in future. The kick-off event is on July 10.

The two Berlin-based associations GIH and BuGG want to work more closely together in future in order to dovetail climate protection measures in the building sector more closely. The German Association of Energy Consultants (GIH) represents around 5,000 independent energy consultants across Germany who support the economy in matters such as energy efficiency and climate protection. The Bundesverband Gebäudegrün (BuGG) is a trade association and lobbyist for green roofs, façades and interiors.

According to both associations, climate protection in the building sector is the unifying core topic of the cooperation. The central idea is to expand specialist energy advice to include aspects of building greening in order to exploit synergies. Among other things, new training courses for energy consultants are to be developed to impart knowledge on green roofs and façades and highlight opportunities for climate impact adaptation. An online seminar specifically on green roofs is planned to kick things off on July 10, 2025. Another event on façade greening will follow on September 25, 2025.

Further training for building experts

BuGG President Gunter Mann explained that "almost anything can be greened if we want to". However, there needs to be an awareness of the need to consider greening both in existing and new buildings at an early stage. "It is an indispensable component when we look at climate change and its consequences," said Mann. The aim of the cooperation is to provide neutral and interdisciplinary information about the opportunities and limitations of greening buildings. The GIH offers valuable support through its network.

The Chairman of the GIH, Stefan Bolln, emphasizes that building greening and energy efficiency complement each other well. "Green roofs and façades not only contribute to cooling and heat protection, but also improve the energy performance of buildings," says Bolln. The GIH members see great potential in this to implement climate protection measures more holistically. Together with the BuGG, the association wants to pool practical knowledge and integrate it into new consulting approaches.

Through their cooperation, the two associations want to develop practical information in future to enable energy consultants to consider greening buildings as an integral part of energy refurbishments or new construction planning. According to BuGG, greenery can help to reduce urban heat build-up, retain rainwater and promote biodiversity. At the same time, the energy requirements of buildings can be reduced through the additional insulating effect of planted areas, according to the association.

Author: Susanne Harmsen