Lifecycle Carbon Assessment
To satisfy a truly green portfolio, assessing whole-life "cradle to grave" carbon emissions is vital. LCA accounts for all of the sources of emissions.
The raw materials, manufacturing, transport to site, fuel and energy on-site, in-use energy and water, repair, maintenance, and final decommissioning are covered. Even the benefits of biogenic carbon sequestration (a posh way of saying tree-planting) can be accounted for!
LCA can be applied to both new-build and refurbishments. In fact, it comes down very favourably on the side of refurbishment. It's simple really, the building is already built so not as much new concrete or steel. In carbon terms, it's a bit like finding good quality second-hand stuff on Ebay. I'm always fascinated by buildings with a history, so it's great to find extra motivation to preserve these histories with LCA providing a large motivation. Let's re-invent these spaces and realise new value by transforming them into modern day spaces.