Certifications, ESG Consulting & Labels
Our experts guide building owners and investors through the maze of building certifications, provide advice on ESG issues, and, as C-Sink managers, assist with the certification of biogenic buildings according to the Construction C-Sink Standard—ensuring sustainable value and long-lasting building projects.
Dr. Christoph Neururer (Partner)
DGNB / ÖGNI / SGNI Auditor
LEED accredited professional
EU taxonomy approved advisor+41 78 258 52 37
christoph.neururer@openly.systemsBuilding Labeling & Life Cycle Analysis
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We support your project from the planning stage through to final certification. In addition to our core services—which include project registration on the Label platform, submission for provisional and final certification, and coordination with the certification body—we also prepare project-specific documentation as needed.
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In addition to the various Minergie standards, we can also assist you with your project in accordance with SNBS.
We can also assist with dual certification under SNBS and, for example, Minegrie or other building labels, from the planning stage through to the issuance of the certificate.
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In the European market, the DGNB system family is one of the best-known building certification schemes. Thanks to our long-standing DGNB/SGNI/ÖGNI auditor license, we can provide professional support for your project from pre-certification through to the final certificate.
In addition, ESG verification against the EU Taxonomy is available in combination with certification within the DGNB system family.
Through our network, we can also provide specialized documentation for daylight calculations, simulations, and much more, tailored specifically to the building.
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Thanks to our LEED Accredited Professional certification, we can provide expert guidance for projects undertaken by international developers and investors. We can cover the entire certification process, from precertification through the design phase to the final construction phase.
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Life cycle assessments (LCA) are an essential component of the services provided by C-Sink Managers and of the various building labels.
We can prepare everything from individual material and component comparisons to CO2 and life cycle assessments for entire buildings. We can do this in accordance with SIA 2032 using KBOB datasets, as well as in accordance with EN 15978 using ökobau.dat datasets based on EN 15804-A2 or product-specific EPDs.
Validation of CO₂ sinks in buildings
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The first building standard to certify the carbon sequestration of entire buildings is based on the principle of additionality and focuses on structurally integrated, bio-based building materials with a service life of over 60 years (EU-CRCF requirement: 35 years), such as structural timber, biochar concrete, hemp, cellulose, cork, straw, bamboo, as well as grass and reeds.
Inventory checks are conducted annually by the C-Sink Manager. Openly is a certified C-Sink Manager and guides customers through the entire process.
There is no baseline scenario; the calculation is net, i.e. taking into account and deducting emissions from farming (cultivation), processing, transportation and installation.
OPENLY certification is conducted on the property (the building serves as the carbon sink) for the benefit of the property owner.
Principle: The building is the C-sink
Creator of the standard: Ithaka Institute
C-Sink Manager: OPENLY AG
Audit:CERES
Public C-Registry: Carbon Standard International
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https://global-c-registry.org/
All projects certified under the standard can be listed in the public Global-C-Registry . In addition to the project location, the independent audit reports and certifications are publicly available.
This is in line with the principle of transparency set forth in the CRCF. Companies publish the information they have filed as part of their ESG reporting.
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The certification process typically begins before construction starts with project registration and the preparation of a PDD (Project Design Document) in accordance with ISO 14064-2, including preliminary calculations and validation by CERES.
During implementation, C-sink materials are continuously documented and supporting documentation is prepared.
Once construction is complete, the final carbon sink calculation, the life cycle assessment for the entire building, and the verification and verification statement will be prepared.
Once the project has been successfully verified, it will be entered into the Global C-Sink Registry.
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OPENLY guides clients through the entire certification process and, as a C-Sink Manager, handles every step from registration to the entry of CO2 sinks in the Global C-Sink Registry.
The standard meets the highest quality requirements, as certified by the ICROA label. You benefit from a high-quality, tradable certificate for new construction and renovation projects that effectively combines climate protection with economic value creation.
ESG Reporting for SMEs
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Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements for companies in the EU and Switzerland are becoming stricter. Starting in 2025, large and medium-sized companies must transparently document their CO2 emissions and sustainability strategies—particularly through detailed carbon footprint assessments. In addition to emissions figures, ESG reporting also includes binding decarbonization plans through 2030 and 2050 to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Robust ESG reporting improves creditworthiness, lowers financing costs, and strengthens market position, while a lack of evidence can lead to higher costs and a decline in credit ratings. Furthermore, an increasing number of customers are requiring complete ESG documentation for their own reporting purposes.
Openly advises small and medium-sized businesses and works with clients to analyze potential strategies. Contact us for a no-obligation quote.
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We are certified ESG consultants and use the independent esg2go rating & reporting system.
Upon completing the licensing training, we are now esg2go Professionals and are listed on the Pros & Partners page: https://esg2go.org/pros-partner/
CO2 certificates support biogenic construction projects
Refinance up to 1% of construction costs
Offsetting (you sell the credits): The net payment, including certification costs, is 85 euros/ton or 80 CHF/ton
Insetting(you retain the credits yourself): The certification costs are approximately 20 euros/CHF per ton
As a C-sink manager, Openly issues CO2 certificates, enabling biogenic construction projects despite higher costs compared to conventional construction.
The remuneration comes from myclimate.org as
re-seller of these certificates and is paid out by OPENLY AG after completion of construction.
The certification process
The potential of buildings as carbon sinks
The annual carbon sequestration potential is approximately 5 gigatons of CO2, which corresponds to an estimated market value of $1 trillion. With the CRCF, the EU has established a legal framework for temporary carbon sinks.
Our roadmap calls for conducting pilot certifications totaling 10,000 metric tons in 2026.