ÖGNI - Austrian Sustainable Building Council

What ÖGNI - Austrian Sustainable Building Council does

ÖGNI (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Nachhaltige Immobilienwirtschaft) is a Vienna-based non-profit association founded in 2009 that operates as the Austrian licensing partner of the German DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen) system. Its core business is DGNB building and quarter certification (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum tiers) covering new construction, existing buildings, renovation, interiors, demolition, and construction sites, alongside EU-Taxonomy verification services for real estate projects, including partial-compliance scenarios. The organization serves building owners, developers, planners, architects, and investors seeking independent third-party sustainability verification for quality assurance, ESG compliance, and access to preferential financing.

The company conducts certification through a network of independently contracted and annually re-certified ÖGNI auditors, ensuring separation between consulting and the conformity check (Konformitätsprüfung) that ÖGNI itself performs. Beyond certification, ÖGNI operates the ÖGNI Akademie, a three-tier training program producing certified auditors and EU-Taxonomy advisors, and maintains more than 10 working groups producing position papers on topics including digitalization, circular economy, sustainable building materials, and working environments. The organization also issues the proprietary ÖGNI KRISTALL award for social sustainability and distributes thought leadership through the fairbaut podcast, blog, publications, and an annual symposium.

Revenue is generated through four streams: certification fees, EU-Taxonomy verification fees, membership dues (providing access to a 2,000+ industry representative network), and Akademie training programs. Members receive preferential pricing on certifications. The organization is governed by a Präsidium led by President Dr. Andreas Köttl and Managing Director Peter Engert, with no external shareholders or parent company control. ÖGNI does not use AI/ML in its core operations and operates entirely within the Austrian market, with cross-border reach limited to partnership-level coordination with European DGNB system partners.

Name

ÖGNI - Austrian Sustainable Building Council

Legal name

Österreichische Gesellschaft für Nachhaltige Immobilienwirtschaft

Website

https://ogni.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ÖGNI is the Austrian non-profit partner of the DGNB system, certifying buildings and quarters for sustainability, issuing EU-Taxonomy verifications, and training auditors. It serves developers, building owners, planners, architects, and investors across Austria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Building Certification

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

akta.pro primary industry

Architecture, Construction & Building Codes Reference (Design, BIM, Safety Codes) (EDAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Sustainable building certification
• DGNB system certification
• EU taxonomy verification
• Green building consultancy
• Sustainable real estate

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Building Certification Fees: Fees charged for DGNB certification of buildings and quarters, covering new construction, existing buildings, interiors, and other project types. Members receive discounted pricing on certification fees. The certification process involves a consulting contract with an ÖGNI auditor and a separate certification contract with ÖGNI.
2. EU-Taxonomy Verification Fees: Fees for issuing EU-Taxonomy verifications for real estate projects that comply with regulatory criteria.
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to the ÖGNI network of over 2,000 industry representatives, exclusive expertise, events, working groups, and preferential pricing on certifications.
4. ÖGNI Akademie Training Programs: Continuing education and training formats providing up-to-date, practice-oriented knowledge on DGNB certification, EU-Taxonomy, and other sustainability topics in the construction and real estate sector.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ÖGNI is the Austrian partner of the DGNB system and certifies buildings and districts across new construction, existing buildings, renovation, interiors, deconstruction, and construction-site phases. It also issues independent EU-Taxonomy verifications for real estate projects and operates the ÖGNI Akademie to train certified auditors and EU-Taxonomy advisors.

Product overview

ÖGNI (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Nachhaltige Immobilienwirtschaft) operates as a certification body for sustainable buildings in Austria, offering three core products: DGNB-Zertifizierung for building and district certification (covering new construction, existing buildings, renovation, interiors, deconstruction, and construction sites), EU-Taxonomie Verifikation for real estate project compliance with EU sustainable finance criteria, and the ÖGNI Akademie for professional education and training. The portfolio is complemented by the ÖGNI Podcast 'fairbaut' for thought leadership content, the ÖGNI KRISTALL award for outstanding social sustainability, and the blog as a knowledge resource. The DGNB system (offered through ÖGNI as the Austrian system partner) provides certification tiers of Silber, Gold, and Platin, with existing buildings also eligible for Bronze. The EU-Taxonomy Verification is offered even for partial compliance scenarios.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• fairbaut: The official ÖGNI podcast covering topics around sustainable building with interviews from industry experts.

Products and services

• DGNB-Zertifizierung (Gebäude & Quartiere) Independent DGNB certification service evaluating building and district projects against sustainability standards, covering new construction, existing buildings, renovation, interiors, deconstruction, and construction sites. ÖGNI-AuditorInnen guide clients from pre-certification to final certificate with certification tiers of Bronze (existing buildings only), Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
• EU-Taxonomie Verifikation Independent verification of real estate projects against EU Taxonomy regulatory criteria, issuing a verification statement for investors, developers, and asset holders seeking compliance with EU sustainable-finance requirements. Now also available for partial (teilweise) conformity.
• ÖGNI Akademie Education and continuing education platform offering practice-oriented knowledge on DGNB certification, EU Taxonomy regulation, and other sustainability topics in the construction and real estate industry, including three training tiers for becoming a certified ÖGNI auditor and EU-Taxonomy advisor.
• ÖGNI Mitgliedschaft Annual membership providing access to ÖGNI's network of more than 2,000 industry representatives, exclusive expertise, events, working groups, publications, and preferential pricing on DGNB certifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Buildings certified by ÖGNI/DGNB achieve measurable quality and sustainability performance across ecological, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions over the full building lifecycle.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• ImmoScout24coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 May 2025Cooperation announced in May 2025 for sustainability labeling of real estate listings on ImmoScain24 platform. ÖGNI-certified buildings receive sustainability designation on the platform, improving visibility and marketability.
• CLAW (Climate Law Austria Watch)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2023Cooperation to promote a climate-friendly legal system in Austria. CLAW focuses on climate litigation and legal frameworks; the partnership supports sustainable development in the legal dimension of real estate.
• InspiraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2023Partnership announced in September 2023 for the promotion of sustainable projects. Inspiralia provides expertise in sustainable development and funding support.
• TÜV AUSTRIA AkademiecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 3 August 2023Cooperation between ÖGNI Akademie and TÜV AUSTRIA Akademie for the joint delivery of training and continuing education programs in the field of sustainable building and certification.
• MadastercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2023Partnership agreement for circular economy in real estate. Madaster provides a material passport and circular economy platform for buildings. The cooperation promotes the circular economy in the Austrian real estate industry through knowledge sharing and joint projects.
• INDICATE LIFEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2023New impetus for sustainable construction and transparent data. EU-funded project aimed at promoting sustainable building practices and data transparency in the construction sector.
• FMA | IFMA AustriaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2022Schulterschluss (strategic alliance) between FMA, IFMA Austria, and ÖGNI for joint initiatives in sustainable facility and real estate management.
• TPA (Taxation, Advisory, Audit)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 July 2022Partnership for bundling competencies in sustainable real estate. TPA provides tax advisory and consulting services; joint activities include specialist seminars on the added value of building certification. TPA is also a website sponsor.
• CPEA (Centre for Policy and European Affairs)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2021ÖGNI co-founded a think tank in Brussels with European partners including CPEA to influence EU policy on sustainable buildings and real estate.
• GRÜNSTATTGRAUminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2020Partnership for green infrastructure and urban greening. GRÜNSTATTGRAU focuses on vertical and roof greening solutions that contribute to sustainable urban development.
• ULI Austria (Urban Land Institute)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 July 2019Cooperation with ULI Austria, the urban planning and real estate development organization, to advance sustainable land use and real estate development in Austria.
• DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationÖGNI is the Austrian partner organization of DGNB. DGNB grants ÖGNI the license to certify buildings and quarters in Austria using the DGNB system. ÖGNI's certification system is based entirely on the DGNB methodology, adapted for Austrian/EU requirements. DGNB is one of the three globally recognized building certification systems alongside BREEAM and LEED.
• SGNI (Swiss Green Building Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSystem partner of ÖGNI within the European network of sustainable building councils. SGNI adapts DGNB standards to Swiss conditions while maintaining shared quality understanding. Partners collaborate on the continuous development of the European DGNB quality certificate.
• GBCE (Green Building Council España)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSystem partner within ÖGNI's European network of building councils. GBCE adapts DGNB standards to Spanish/EU conditions. Partners collaborate on European DGNB system development.
• GBCD (Green Building Council Denmark)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSystem partner within ÖGNI's European network. GBCD adapts DGNB standards to Danish conditions. Partners collaborate on European DGNB system development and research.
• World Green Building Council (WorldGBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerÖGNI-Präsidiumsmitglied Dr. Richard Teichmann was elected Vice President of the European Regional Network of the World Green Building Council in June 2023. ÖGNI participates in the global network of green building councils working on sustainability goals.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Broad incumbents

• BRE Group (BREEAM): BRE operates BREEAM, the oldest and one of the three globally recognized building certification systems cited by ÖGNI. BREEAM is particularly strong in the UK and Europe and competes with DGNB/ÖGNI for international real estate certification mandates.
• U.S. Green Building Council (LEED): USGBC operates LEED, the dominant global building certification system and one of the three globally recognized certifications explicitly cited by ÖGNI. LEED has substantially larger international brand recognition and is the primary alternative to DGNB/ÖGNI certification in multinational real estate portfolios.

Emerging players

• Madaster: Madaster provides a material-passport and circular-economy platform for buildings. Madaster is an ÖGNI partner but also operates an independent digital platform that increasingly overlaps with traditional certification bodies in documenting building sustainability data.

Others

• World Green Building Council (WorldGBC): WorldGBC is the global umbrella network of national Green Building Councils, of which ÖGNI's board member serves as Vice President of the European Regional Network. WorldGBC does not directly certify buildings but coordinates the global green-building policy and standards agenda that ÖGNI participates in.
• TÜV Austria: TÜV Austria is a certification, inspection, and testing organization that competes in adjacent sustainability and quality assurance services. TÜV AUSTRIA Akademie is also an ÖGNI partner for joint training programs. Both organizations issue verification-style services for the Austrian market.

Direct peers

• DGNB - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen: DGNB is the German parent system holder that licenses ÖGNI as the Austrian partner. DGNB develops and owns the underlying certification methodology that ÖGNI deploys, and both organizations issue the same DGNB certificates to buildings. They share the same standards, auditor-network philosophy, and customer base type, but DGNB operates in Germany rather than Austria.
• GBCE - Green Building Council España: GBCE is the Spanish DGNB system partner, adapting the DGNB methodology to Spanish/EU conditions. Like ÖGNI, GBCE certifies buildings, issues sustainability verifications, and operates training programs. They are explicitly identified by ÖGNI as a European system partner.
• SGNI - Swiss Society for Sustainable Real Estate: SGNI is ÖGNI's Swiss counterpart within the DGNB system-partner network. SGNI adapts the DGNB methodology to Swiss conditions and certifies buildings in Switzerland using the same underlying standards. They share the same business model (certification + verification + academy) and serve a comparable DACH-style construction market.
• GBCD - Green Building Council Denmark: GBCD is the Danish DGNB system partner that adapts DGNB standards to Danish conditions. It functions as ÖGNI's direct counterpart in the Nordic market with the same certification, verification, and training business model.

Regional players

• Klimaaktiv (Austrian Federal Ministry): Klimaaktiv is the Austrian federal government's climate-protection initiative for buildings, which also issues building quality labels and sustainability standards. It competes with ÖGNI in the Austrian market, particularly for residential and publicly subsidized projects where government recognition can substitute for international certification.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%C3%B6gni-%C3%B6sterreichische-gesellschaft-f%C3%BCr-nachhaltige-immobilienwirtschaft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ÖGNI - Austrian Sustainable Building Council