Methodology to calculate embodied carbon in a building’s construction life cycle

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Posted on: 1 November 2013
By: mackene
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Filed under: News

This paper builds on RICS’ Methodology to calculate embodied carbon of materials Information Paper, published in July 2012, and widens its scope by 1) turning this Information Paper’s UK recommendations into global recommendations and 2) extend the measurement methodology in order to cover whole carbon accounting across the life cycle of a building. The different stages of the building’s life cycle will be broken down as follows: design; materials and product manufacture; distribution; assembly on site; and carbon sequestration. The main aim is to provide a framework of practical guidance for quantity surveyors on how to calculate embodied carbon emissions associated with their projects. Additionally, some good practice carbon reduction solutions have been listed. This presents an opportunity for the QS to offer this advice as part of the standard cost planning service. This guidance should help the project teams and clients make decisions about embodied carbon. RICS expects BIM (Building Information Modelling) to have a major impact in carbon quantification and mitigation in future, however, there will always be a need for early feasibility studies. This guidance note is not intended to replace any of the guides that already exist (e.g. PAS 2050, Green House Gas Protocol), but to make carbon calculation more accessible to the QS community. Comments are requested by 29 November 2013.

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