The UKGBC has launched a new framework aimed at helping built environment professionals manage and reduce their carbon emissions
The Whole Life Carbon Framework (WLCF) is designed to reduce carbon emissions across a building’s lifecycle and to guide new projects towards net-zero-aligned outcomes.
Yetunde Abdul, director of industry transformation at UKGBC, stated: “As expectations around sustainability and carbon performance continue to grow, organisations need practical tools that support consistent and informed decision-making across the full life cycle of buildings.
“This updated framework is designed to help drive industry-wide action by supporting better design making, strengthening accountability and embedding whole-life carbon thinking into projects from the outset.”
Practical approaches to minimising carbon emissions generated by buildings
The free resource outlines practical approaches and options for minimising whole-life carbon – the sum of all greenhouse gas emissions associated with a building, from material extraction and construction, through its use, to demolition and disposal – from early-stage building design through to operation and end-of-life.
It also promotes clearer accountability, improved whole-life carbon assessment, and disclosure across projects and portfolios.
Building on the Net Zero Carbon Framework Definition, launched by UKGBC in 2019, the updated WLCF sets out guiding principles and actions to help organisations manage and reduce carbon emissions throughout a building’s lifecycle.
Delivery principles for each stage of a project
The WLCF consists of four overarching principles and four delivery principles, supported by sub-principles and life-cycle-based actions to implement at each stage of a building project.
Industry bodies previously used UKGBC’s 2019 framework, and related other tools, to support development of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS), which was launched in February and sets out a science-led methodology for defining and demonstrating net-zero carbon alignment.
A key referencing tool for built environment professionals
The new and updated WLCF can be used alongside the NZCBS and other industry methods and standards, acting as a practical reference tool for built environment professionals, including developers, owners and operators, designers, consultants, contractors, property and facilities managers, product manufacturers and local planning authorities.
“Designed to complement initiatives such as the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, the framework will help organisations improve assessment, reporting and disclosure practices while supporting the transition to net-zero aligned buildings,” concluded Philippa Birch-Wood, head of climate action at UKGBC.
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