An environmental construction supervisor (UBÜ)—or, more simply, an environmental construction monitor (UBB)—is an individual appointed by the project developer to provide advice and oversight regarding all environment-related and environmental-law matters during construction projects.
Since the introduction of the Environmental Damage Act (USchadG, 2007), various permits, construction approvals, and environmental impact assessments (EIA or SEA) increasingly require the presence of an accompanying advisor in the form of an environmental construction supervisor. Although this role entails a monitoring function, the supervisor does not act as a construction site watchdog or monitor the project developer; rather, they serve as a problem-solver, coordinator, advisor, and facilitator. Commissioned by the project developer, they work to monitor and ensure compliance with all environmental and nature conservation requirements.
The responsibilities of the UBB are diverse. They range from the classification and coordination of environmentally relevant measures—before, during, and after the construction phase—to public relations work. The core scope of duties includes:
- Advisory role across all construction phases (including detailed planning, permitting processes, approval notices, monitoring, etc.)
- Liaison and coordination between stakeholders (client/project owner, construction supervisors, contractors, specialist authorities, nature conservation bodies, the public)
- Implementation of landscape management and nature conservation requirements (excluding HOAI-regulated services)
- Evidence preservation and documentation
- Prevention of environmental damage, damage mitigation, and recultivation and compensation measures
- Communication and time management
- Public relations (participatory role)
- Monitoring the effectiveness of measures
