Whole Life Carbon Assessment
Embodied carbon
Operational carbon emissions are steadily reducing through regularly improved policy standards.
Therefore as operational carbon decreases, a greater proportion of building emissions therefore comes from site preparation, material sourcing, construction and end of life processes known as embodied carbon.
Combined with operational emissions this is known as Whole Life Carbon (WLC).
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) set a framework for assessing Whole Life Carbon to ensure a consistent approach. This gives results that are easily understood and acted upon to reduce the emissions of a development.
WLC Assssments for your development
At Briary Energy, we guide you through reducing the whole life carbon of your development and minimising environmental impact.
Whole Life Carbon may seem daunting at first but approaching it at an early stage allows design principles to be embedded in to the initial concept – unlocking the potential for the greatest reductions; facilitating discussions with designers, suppliers and contractors, and aligning the development goals with specific policy targets.
Assessments are carried out in line with the RICS professional standard, using approved software such as One Click LCA.
Reducing Embodied Carbon?
Reducing embodied carbon doesn’t always have to be complex! Some simple design choices will make a significant difference.
Materials
Suppliers can be engaged to ensure that where it is appropriate, selections are made to increase recycled content, in areas including:
- Concrete
- Block/Brick
- Steelwork
- Insulation products
- Glazing
Free resources such as the ‘BRE Green Guide for Sustainable Solutions’ and ‘The Construction Material Pyramid’ allow direct comparisons of the environmental impacts of chosen materials.
Circular Economy
A circular economy prioritises the reuse of materials over the use of newly extracted materials. In an ideal model, at the end of the built asset’s life, no materials will have gone to waste. Applying Circular Economy principles is therefore a key part of reducing Whole Life Carbon.
Reuse and redevelopment of structures is prioritised – retrofitting existing stock to modern standards can make massive embodied carbon savings.
Reuse of reclaimed materials from site demolition works will reduce the quantity of new materials required . Site preparation surveys like a pre demolition audit will identify the suitability of such materials.
Designing buildings that are adaptable to future uses will reduce emissions associated with redesign
Designing buildings for disassembly ensures that come the end of the building life span, as many of the materials as possible will be reused.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
EPD certificates report the environmental performance of a product by performing a life cycle assessment – like a WLCA but on a specific product.
EPDs allow a verified comparison between products, and highlight a manufacturers commitment to reducing embodied carbon.
Is an assessment mandatory?
Calculating Whole Life Carbon isn’t yet part of the Building Regulations – however with many local authorities setting targets for Whole Life Carbon and an industry proposed ‘Approved Document Z’ concept, it is surely only a matter of time before it becomes a national regulation – a crucial change that the building industry should embrace as part of its sustainability journey.
