RICS head of professional practice Amit Patel discusses the launch of a new global edition of the Whole Life Carbon Assessment Standard, which aims to support greater consistency and transparency in the push to decarbonise construction
In an era when climate change has become an undeniable global challenge, the construction industry is at the forefront of efforts to decarbonise.
Sustainability and environmental consciousness are no longer merely buzzwords but essential principles for all those who work in the industry.
In September 2023, RICS unveiled its new global edition of the Whole Life Carbon Assessment Standard, marking a significant stride towards consistency and transparency in the quest to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
RICS understands that building projects have far-reaching consequences on the environment. From the extraction of raw materials to the energy used in construction and ultimately, the operational phase of a building, every step leaves a carbon footprint.
The importance of providing a consistent standard for decarbonisation cannot be underestimated.
The Whole Life Carbon Assessment Standard will provide a common, consistent framework
The introduction of RICS’s Whole Life Carbon Assessment Standard provides a common framework for assessing and quantifying carbon emissions throughout a building’s entire lifecycle.
This methodology will not only streamline efforts but also enhance transparency, enabling industry workers to make informed decisions regarding the environmental impact of construction projects.
One of the key challenges in the past has been the lack of a unified approach to carbon assessment.
Each project may have adopted different methods and metrics. This lack of consistency made it challenging to compare carbon assessments across projects and hindered progress in our collective efforts to decarbonise construction effectively.
Consistency in decarbonisation doesn’t just simplify the process; it also creates innovation. When professionals across the industry use the same standard, it becomes easier to identify best practices and areas for improvement. This encourages collaboration and the sharing of knowledge, ultimately driving the development of more sustainable construction practices.
The construction industry has a unique opportunity to make a difference
As professionals, we have a moral and professional obligation to reduce our carbon emissions. To achieve this, we can use the Whole Life Carbon Assessment to analyse the amount of carbon emitted from a building or assets.
Working in the built environment offers us the greatest opportunity to minimise our carbon footprint. Starting from the early stages of design, we can provide guidance on how to reduce carbon emissions, which will have a significant impact on the environment over the entire lifecycle of the building.
Measuring carbon output will soon become a mandatory requirement and a core competency for our profession.
It is crucial that we equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to offer the best advice and guidance to our clients in order to effectively reduce carbon emissions.
Transparency in carbon data
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is working together with the Built Environment Carbon Database (BECD) to collect and compile data that will help professionals interpret the amount of carbon emissions connected with different materials and options.
Our partnership’s goal is to establish a platform that offers a better comprehension of carbon output. Transparency in data is critical to reducing carbon emissions in the construction sector, as it facilitates more informed decision-making when it comes to selecting materials and technologies.
As the world faces the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity, it is now more important than ever to prioritise decarbonisation. The construction sector, being the largest contributor to carbon emissions, must take the lead in finding new and innovative ways to work with the wider industry in constructing and building assets. Decarbonisation is essential in creating a greener and more sustainable future.
The standard can be used by a range of professionals, from quantity surveyors, cost consultants and building surveyors to designers, engineers and environmental, social and governance consultants, enabling them to meet client demand by measuring and managing carbon emissions in a reliable and consistent manner.
By embracing new technologies and innovations, the industry can pave the way towards achieving net zero.
More information on the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment can be found by visiting the website at: www.rics.org/
Amit Patel
Head of professional practice
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
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