Whole Life Carbon Assessments

Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the materials and construction processes throughout the lifecycle of a building excluding operational energy use. This includes emissions from raw material extraction, manufacturing, transport, construction, maintenance, replacement, and end-of-life disposal.

Whole life carbon is a broader term that encompasses both embodied carbon and operational carbon (the energy used to run the building over its lifetime, including heating, cooling, lighting and hot water). A whole life carbon assessment therefore provides the most complete picture of a building’s total carbon impact.

The earlier a whole life carbon assessment is carried out, the greater the opportunity to influence design decisions and reduce carbon. We recommend engaging at RIBA Stage 2 (Concept Design) at the latest, so that structural system choices, material specifications and building form can still be adjusted in response to the findings.

A preliminary assessment at Stage 1 (Preparation and Briefing) can be particularly valuable for establishing a carbon budget and setting targets that inform the design brief. Assessments can also be carried out at later stages to satisfy planning conditions or to provide a baseline for future projects.

Requirements vary by local planning authority (LPA). A growing number of LPAs particularly in London and other major urban areas now require whole life carbon assessments as part of planning applications for major developments (typically 10 or more dwellings, or commercial developments above a certain floor area threshold).

We recommend checking the specific requirements of your LPA at the earliest opportunity. Even where a WLCA is not formally required, submitting one voluntarily can strengthen a planning application by demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and alignment with national net zero targets.

The level of information required depends on the stage of the assessment. For an early-stage indicative assessment, we typically need: architectural drawings (floor plans, sections, elevations); structural system description (e.g. timber frame, masonry, concrete); gross internal floor area (GIA) and number of units or storeys; and an indicative specification for key elements (substructure, superstructure, envelope, finishes).

For a more detailed assessment at later design stages, we will also need a full specification, structural drawings, and where available, manufacturer EPDs for key materials. We are happy to advise on exactly what is needed for your specific project at the outset.

Our assessments are carried out in accordance with the RICS Professional Standard: Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment (2nd edition) and reference BS EN 15978 for the lifecycle stage framework. For new homes, we also apply the Future Homes Hub WLC Conventions for New Homes, which provide a consistent methodology for the residential sector aligned with emerging government policy.

We use industry-recognised carbon assessment tools and reference the latest available Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and the Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE) database for material carbon factors. Results are benchmarked against the LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide and RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge targets.

Whole life carbon assessments contribute directly to BREEAM credits under the Mat 01 (Life Cycle Impacts) credit, which rewards projects that carry out a lifecycle assessment of the building’s environmental impacts. Achieving Mat 01 credits can be a significant contributor to reaching higher BREEAM ratings such as Excellent or Outstanding.

If your project is pursuing BREEAM certification, we can coordinate the WLCA with the broader BREEAM assessment process to ensure the methodology and reporting format meets the assessor’s requirements and maximises the available credits.

The cost of a whole life carbon assessment depends on the size and complexity of the project, the stage at which the assessment is required, and the scope of lifecycle stages to be covered. A straightforward assessment for a small residential scheme will typically be significantly less expensive than a detailed assessment for a large mixed-use development.

We provide fixed-fee quotations based on the specific requirements of each project. Please get in touch with details of your project and we will provide a competitive, transparent quote with no hidden costs.

Beyond producing the assessment itself, our team provides practical, actionable guidance on reducing embodied carbon within the constraints of your project. This typically includes: identifying the highest-carbon elements and prioritising reduction efforts; recommending lower-carbon structural and material alternatives with comparable performance; advising on EPD selection and supply chain engagement to improve data quality; modelling the carbon impact of design changes to quantify the benefit of each intervention; and supporting the development of a project-level carbon reduction roadmap aligned with net zero targets.

Our goal is not just to produce a compliant report, but to help you genuinely reduce your project’s carbon footprint in a way that is practical and cost-effective.