Integrated Life Cycle Assessments

The construction industry is at a critical juncture, grappling with the urgent need to address environmental sustainability while delivering innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is emerging as a vital tool in this transition, enabling stakeholders to quantify and minimize environmental impacts across the lifecycle of construction projects.

But how and when should LCAs be performed, and what frameworks and legislation guide their use?

Here, we explore these questions while examining the pivotal role of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in fostering sustainable practices.

Phases of a Construction Project and the Role of LCA

A construction project typically unfolds across six phases:

1. Concept and Feasibility (Pre-Design)

2. Design (Schematic, Development, Detailed)

3. Procurement

4. Construction (Execution)

5. Operation and Maintenance

6. Decommissioning/Demolition

Should LCAs Be Performed?

LCAs are indispensable at various stages for maximizing sustainability outcomes:

• Concept and Feasibility Phase: A preliminary or screening LCA helps identify high-impact materials and processes, shaping early design decisions with sustainability in mind.

• Design Phase: Comparative LCAs refine material and system choices to reduce embodied carbon and environmental impacts. This stage benefits most from detailed LCAs due to the availability of comprehensive design data.

• Construction Phase: Monitoring and validating design assumptions with LCAs ensures that material use and on-site practices align with sustainability goals.

• Operation and Maintenance Phase: Operational LCAs evaluate energy use, water consumption, and maintenance requirements to optimize building performance.

• Decommissioning/Demolition Phase: LCAs at this stage support circular economy principles by quantifying the benefits of reuse, recycling, and proper waste management.

Each phase provides unique opportunities for intervention, but the Design Phase is particularly critical due to its influence on downstream impacts and alignment with regulatory and certification requirements.

RIBA’s Role in Guiding LCA Use

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) plays a leading role in embedding sustainability into construction through its structured guidance and frameworks.

The RIBA Plan of Work

The RIBA Plan of Work integrates sustainability across project stages, advocating for LCA use at key points:

• Stage 1: Preparation and Brief: Encourages setting sustainability objectives and conducting preliminary LCAs.

• Stage 2: Concept Design: Promotes using LCAs to evaluate materials and design strategies.

• Stage 3: Spatial Coordination: Suggests detailed LCAs to inform material selection and system integration.

• Stage 5: Construction: Recommends tracking and validating earlier LCA findings during execution.

RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide

RIBA’s Sustainable Outcomes Guide aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and emphasizes whole-life carbon assessments. It encourages LCA as a tool for meeting embodied carbon reduction targets and applying circular economy principles.

RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge

The RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge sets ambitious embodied and operational carbon reduction targets. It advocates for whole-life carbon analysis through LCA to achieve net-zero buildings by 2030.

Key Legislation and Frameworks for LCA in Construction

Compliance with legal and industry standards is essential for effective LCA implementation. Key references include:

UK Legislation

1. The Building Regulations 2010 (Part L): Addresses operational energy use; the proposed Part Z aims to mandate whole-life carbon assessments.

2. The Climate Change Act 2008: Legally binds the UK to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, encouraging LCA to quantify carbon impacts.

3. Environmental Protection Act 1990: Covers waste management and pollution, critical for LCAs during decommissioning.

International Standards

1. ISO 14040 and ISO 14044: Provide general principles and a framework for conducting LCAs.

2. EN 15804: Offers specific guidelines for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) of construction materials.

3. Circular Economy Action Plan (EU): Aligns with LCA by promoting resource efficiency and material reuse.

Tools and Industry Support

While RIBA does not mandate specific tools, it recommends widely used LCA platforms:

• One Click LCA: For BIM-integrated whole-life carbon assessments.

• Tally: Tailored for architects to assess material impacts during design.

• eToolLCD: For comprehensive lifecycle carbon analysis.

Carbon Reduction Plans as Part of a Sustainability Strategy

For organizations engaged in public sector contracts, a robust Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) is not only a compliance requirement but also a cornerstone of a wider sustainability strategy. Incorporating LCA insights into a CRP ensures that carbon reduction efforts are grounded in quantifiable data, covering all phases of a project’s lifecycle.

How LCA Supports CRPs

1. Baseline Assessment: LCA provides the data needed to establish a baseline for carbon emissions across material sourcing, construction, and operational phases.

2. Target Setting: Enables setting achievable carbon reduction targets, aligned with government regulations and industry standards.

3. Monitoring and Reporting: Continuous LCAs during construction and operation phases help track progress against CRP goals, ensuring transparency.

Demonstrating Commitment to Sustainability

To operate a sustainable business and take the supply chain on the same journey, organizations can:

1. Engage the Supply Chain

• Conduct sustainability training sessions for suppliers.

• Require suppliers to align with your sustainability goals and carbon reduction targets.

• Incorporate sustainability performance metrics into procurement processes.

2. Adopt Circular Economy Practices

• Use recycled and sustainable materials.

• Promote reuse and recycling during the construction and demolition phases.

3. Emphasize Transparency and Reporting

• Publish annual sustainability reports detailing achievements and areas for improvement.

• Share LCA data and progress on CRP targets with stakeholders.

4. Collaborate with Industry Initiatives

• Participate in certifications like BREEAM and LEED to validate sustainability efforts.

• Join industry groups to share knowledge and drive collective action.

By embedding LCAs into their Carbon Reduction Plans and demonstrating sustainable practices, organizations can position themselves as leaders in sustainability. These actions not only satisfy public sector requirements but also build trust and credibility with clients, partners, and the community.

Your Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP)

Navigating the requirements for a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) can feel complex, but you don't have to do it alone. Since the introduction of the Procurement Policy Note 06/21 (PPN 06/21) in 2021, expectations have grown for suppliers to establish baselines and disclose their carbon reduction strategies. By 2025, contracting authorities are looking for clear evidence of your commitment to tackling the climate crisis, supporting the UK’s environmental goals, and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

If you’re looking for guidance to create a robust and effective CRP, I’m here to help. Whether you’re a supplier or an aspiring supplier, I can support you in producing a plan that incorporates LCA methodologies, aligns with best practices, and positions your business for success in public procurement. Let’s work together to ensure your organization meets these critical requirements and contributes meaningfully to a sustainable future.

About the Author

Omar Hadjel MCIM is a Marketing Consultant, Bid Support Specialist, and GRI-Certified Sustainability Professional with extensive experience helping organizations navigate public sector procurement and sustainability challenges. Omar has supported businesses in producing Carbon Reduction Plans, embedding sustainability into their operations, and aligning their practices with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Passionate about driving meaningful change, Omar combines technical expertise with strategic insights to help clients achieve compliance and competitive advantage. Reach out to Omar at omar.hadjel@outlook.com to discuss how he can support your sustainability journey.