Southwest Environmental Limited

Whole Life Carbon Assessment Reports (WLCA)

The RICs WLCA standard comes into effect on 1 July 2024. We have been writing carbon life cycle reports to PAS 2050 or Envirodec EPD for over 10 years, and are therefore in a good position to help you complete what can be a daunting task.

Please contact us if you would like a quote for this Life Cycle Assessment Work.

Preconstruction  

 The preconstruction phase of a building project sets the stage for its entire carbon footprint. While there isn't active construction happening yet, decisions made here can significantly impact the environmental impact of the building. Here's a breakdown:

What contributes to a preconstruction carbon footprint?

• Material selection: The embodied carbon emissions of building materials - the greenhouse gases released during their manufacturing, transportation, and assembly - are a major factor. For instance, concrete and steel have a high embodied carbon footprint, whilst timber can have a low embodied carbon.
• Site preparation: Demolition activities and transportation of debris can generate emissions. A local recovery scheme would be a good option.
• Energy use during design: Energy used to power computers and software during the design process contributes a minor amount. Very minor.

How to reduce the preconstruction carbon footprint?

• Sustainable material selection: Specifying low-carbon alternatives like recycled steel, sustainably harvested wood, or bio-based materials can make a big difference. However, the "capital" carbon cost must be balalnced against the "operational".
• Design for efficiency: Optimizing building layout, incorporating natural light and ventilation strategies, and using energy-efficient building systems all reduce the operational footprint later.
• Modular construction: Prefabricated components can decrease on-site construction time and related emissions.

Product stage  

In the product stage, we shift focus to the creation of the physical product itself. This encompasses everything from acquiring raw materials to final assembly and transportation. Here's how the product stage contributes to a product's overall carbon footprint:

Factors impacting product stage footprint:

• Material extraction and processing: The energy used to mine or harvest raw materials, along with the emissions generated during processing, contribute significantly.
• Manufacturing processes: The type of energy used to power factories, the efficiency of manufacturing processes, and any waste generated all play a role.
• Transportation: Moving raw materials, parts, and finished products throughout the supply chain creates emissions. The distance traveled and mode of transport (ship, truck, etc.) are key factors.
• Packaging: The materials used for packaging and their disposal methods also contribute.

Strategies to reduce product stage footprint:

• Sustainable sourcing: Using recycled materials, ethically sourced wood, and minimizing virgin materials reduces environmental impact.
• Energy-efficient manufacturing: Investing in renewable energy sources and optimizing production processes can significantly lower emissions.
• Local sourcing: Reducing transportation distances by sourcing materials and manufacturing closer to the final assembly point helps.
• Minimizing waste: Lean manufacturing practices that reduce production waste and find ways to reuse or recycle scraps lessen the footprint.
• Sustainable packaging: Using recyclable, biodegradable, or minimal packaging materials reduces the environmental impact.

Learning more about product stage footprint:

Product Carbon Footprint (PCF): This is a methodology to assess the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout its life cycle [carbon footprint of products ON CarbonChain carbonchain.com].

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A broader approach that examines a product's environmental impact across its entire life cycle, including the product stage [life cycle assessment lca myclimate ON Myclimate.org].

Construction Stage  

Key factors impacting construction LCA:

• Material transportation: The distance traveled by building materials and the type of transport (truck vs. train) significantly affect emissions.
• Construction equipment: The energy used to power equipment like excavators, cranes, and generators contributes to the footprint.
• Construction waste: Waste generated during construction, if not properly recycled or diverted from landfills, contributes to environmental impact.
• Energy use on-site: Temporary structures, lighting, and on-site energy consumption also play a role.

Strategies to reduce construction stage footprint:

• Local sourcing: Prioritize building materials manufactured closer to the construction site to minimize transportation emissions.
• Prefabrication: Using prefabricated components reduces on-site construction time, associated energy use, and potentially waste generation.
• Waste management plan: Implement a plan to segregate, recycle, and divert construction waste from landfills.
• Fuel-efficient equipment: Utilize newer, more fuel-efficient construction equipment whenever possible.
• Renewable energy on-site: Explore options for using renewable energy sources like solar panels to power temporary structures or equipment.

Additional considerations:

• Water use: Construction processes can involve significant water usage. Implementing water-saving measures like low-flow fixtures and practices can help.
• Dust control: Dust generated during construction activities can have air quality impacts. Implementing dust control measures is important.

Use Stage  

The operational stage of a building's life cycle is often the most significant contributor to its overall environmental impact. This phase encompasses the time when the building is occupied and used. Here's a closer look at the key impacts and how to mitigate them:

Environmental impacts during building operation:

Energy consumption: Heating, cooling, lighting, and electronic equipment all contribute to energy use, and consequently, greenhouse gas emissions, if powered by fossil fuels.

• Water use: Water usage for sanitary purposes, landscaping, and cooling systems can be substantial.
• Indoor air quality: Building materials, cleaning products, and inadequate ventilation can contribute to poor indoor air quality, impacting occupant health.
• Waste generation: Operational activities generate waste like paper, food scraps, and restroom materials that need proper management.

Strategies to reduce operational life cycle impacts:

• Energy efficiency: Implementing energy-efficient measures like LED lighting, improved insulation, and smart building controls can significantly reduce energy consumption.
• Renewable energy: Utilizing renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind power to meet building energy needs can substantially lower the carbon footprint.
• Water conservation: Installing low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and water-efficient landscaping practices can minimize water use.
• Indoor air quality management: Using low-VOC building materials, proper ventilation strategies, and regular maintenance of air handling systems promotes healthy indoor air quality.
• Waste management: Implementing a waste management plan that encourages recycling, composting, and responsible disposal practices minimizes the environmental impact of operational waste.

Additional considerations:

• Building automation: Smart building technologies can optimize energy and water use based on occupancy and real-time conditions. Hoever careful cosideration should be given as to whether these extra electronic devices will "pay" for there embodied carbon.
• Occupant behavior: Educating occupants on energy-saving practices and responsible water use can yield significant results. Soft Landing approach is useful here, as some modern buildings are complex "machines".

By focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and responsible waste management, the operational life cycle impacts of a building can be substantially reduced. This not only benefits the environment but can also lead to cost savings through lower energy and water bills.

Deconstruction (End-of-life stage) 

Impacts arising from disposal of waste, but also carbon saved by reusing wastes in place of virgin materials.

Beyond the asset  (Building lifecycle) 

This is a nebulous concept, life cycle assessment would typically set clear "boundaries" that would cut out extremities such as impacts beyond assets. However, these can sometimes be sucessfully included, if they demonstrate a benefit, or to highlight failing.

Production of the WLCA Report 

The WLCA Report would bring together the impacts the various life cycle stages. And present a footprint for the project as a whole.

The report would also make clear an assumptions, and estimations, and typically in life cycle assessment we summaries data quality, and uncertainty. It is quite common to introduce a margin of error in life cycle assessments as secondary data for material and services can be a little inaccurate when considering changing energy mixes and regional differences.

Authoring

Above content was structured using Google Gemini AI, with human embellishments.

Past Projects

Read about Life Cycle Assessment Project on Our Blog