understanding the bigger picture: what is whole life carbon? To truly understand the environmental impact of a building, we need to look beyond just its operational energy use. Whole life carbon (WLC) encompasses all the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a building throughout its entire existence – from the extraction of raw materials for its construction, to its eventual demolition or deconstruction.This includes both embodied carbon and operational carbon. As regulations evolve and the urgency to meet net zero targets intensifies, an understanding of WLC is becoming essential for sustainable development. why assess whole life carbon? Embodied carbon occurs across various lifecycle stages: • Complete environmental picture: WLC provides a holistic view of a building’s carbon footprint, identifying key areas for reduction across its entire lifespan. • Meeting regulatory requirements: Increasingly, planning policies (e.g., the London Plan) and building standards are mandating or encouraging WLC assessments. • Driving sustainable design: By quantifying the total impact,WLC assessment informs better design decisions, material choices, and construction practices. • Long term value: Considering WLC can lead to more durable, adaptable buildings with lower overall environmental costs. • Green building certifications: Achieving credits in schemes like BREEAM (Mat 01) often require WLC assessment. Ingleton Wood offers services to help you assess and reduce the total carbon impact of your buildings through whole life carbon assessment.
the WLC framework A WLC assessment considers all lifecycle stages and should follow the methodology laid out in the RICS Professional Standard: Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment (second edition): • Embodied carbon (stages A, B, C, D): As detailed in our embodied carbon flyer; this covers the carbon associated with materials and construction. • Operational carbon (during the use stage): This includes emissions from the energy used to heat, cool, light, and operate the building. The assessment often considers the Reference Service Period (RSP), the expected lifespan of the building, to understand the cumulative impact over time. the UK context: a growing emphasis on WLC The UK’s commitment to net zero by 2050 is driving a greater focus on WLC. Key standards and guidance, such as the RICS whole life carbon assessment methodology, provide frameworks for consistent and transparent evaluation. Local authorities and forward thinking businesses are increasingly requiring WLC assessments as part of their project approval processes.
our services
Full scope WLC assessments We conduct detailed assessments covering all lifecycle stages in accordance with the RICS PS.
Early stage carbon appraisal We integrate WLC thinking into the initial design phases to identify the most effective carbon reduction strategies.
Target setting and reduction planning We help you establish ambitious yet achievable WLC reduction targets and develop clear action plans.
Regulatory compliance support We ensure your projects meet the growing requirements for WLC assessment in planning and building regulations.
Green building certifications We provide the necessary assessments and documentation to support your BREEAM, LEED, or other green building certification goals.
To discuss how our whole life carbon assessment
Lifecycle cost analysis and WLC integration We can analyse the long term financial implications of different carbon reduction strategies.
services can benefit your projects, click here .
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