This blog was updated on the 09/06/2026
A Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) measures the carbon emissions associated with a building across its entire lifecycle, from material extraction and construction to operation and demolition.
Data from the World Green Building Council estimates that the buildings and construction sector is responsible for about 39% of total carbon emissions globally. Of this, building operations such as heating and electricity use contribute around 28%, while the production of building materials and construction activities, known as embodied carbon, accounts for approximately 11%. With such worrying statistics, stakeholders in the industry and environmental activists are increasingly calling for more comprehensive sustainability measures. One of the most effective tools in this effort is the Whole Lifecycle Carbon Assessment (WLCA), a comprehensive method for evaluating the carbon footprint of buildings throughout their entire lifecycle. It allows for better informed decision-making during the design and construction phases by taking embodied carbon into account in addition to operating emissions. This method supports worldwide efforts to satisfy environmental standards while also improving sustainability in the construction industry.
Learn More: Assessing Embodied Carbon Emissions in Construction Materials
| Quick Navigation Points Throughout The Blog | |
| 1. What is Whole Lifecycle Carbon Assessment (WLCA)? | 2. Implementing WLCAs in Construction Projects |
| 3. The Sustainable Construction Guide | 4. Benefits and Challenges of WLCA |
Whole Lifecycle Carbon Assessment (WLCA) is a systematic approach that measures the total carbon emissions associated with a building or infrastructure project from its inception to its end of life. This includes emissions from the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, construction, operation, maintenance and eventual demolition or decommissioning.
WLCA follows a structured method with clearly defined stages from cradle to grave.
These include:
The built environment is responsible for approximately 43% of global carbon emissions. By providing a comprehensive understanding of a building's carbon footprint, WLCA helps architects, developers and policymakers identify areas where carbon emissions can be minimised. It aligns with various international standards and frameworks, such as ISO 14040/14044, BS EN 15978 and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment. It is also a requirement under the Greater London Plan and the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon framework definition.
Learn more: UK Future Homes Standard with Whole Life Cycle Assessment
Learn how Tunley’s unique approach and our experienced PhD-qualified team helped one of Europe’s largest construction companies, PORR achieve a remarkable 88,564 tCO2e reduction in emissions.
Integrating WLCA from the early design phase enables architects to make informed decisions about materials, construction methods and energy systems. Tools such as embodied carbon calculators help simulate and assess the carbon impacts of different design choices. This approach allows for the optimisation of building layout, incorporation of natural light and ventilation strategies and the use of energy-efficient building systems to reduce the operational footprint.
At Tunley Environmental, we integrate Carbon Management Plans throughout the various construction stages, conducting Whole Life Cycle Assessments (WLCAs) as part of these plans. Our WLCAs follow the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) stages from concept design onwards, depending on the specific requirements of our clients. This helps to facilitate complete management and of greenhouse gas emissions over the total project lead time.
WLCA thinking should be embedded within the design process from the outset. A carbon assessment should be prepared using the cost plan's material descriptions and quantities, forming the baseline carbon budget. This granular analysis of the project's WLCA cost enables the design team to choose low carbon and preferably cost-neutral options.
Learn More: Building a Sustainable Supply Chain in Construction with WLCAs
Material selection plays a crucial role in reducing embodied carbon emissions. Concrete and steel have a high embodied carbon footprint, while timber can have a low embodied carbon. At Tunley Environmental, our carbon reduction scientists can leverage LCAs to evaluate the environmental footprint of construction materials and components, considering factors such as embodied carbon, energy efficiency and recyclability.
Sustainable sourcing strategies include:
Innovative construction methods and technologies can significantly reduce carbon emissions during the construction phase. Some effective approaches include:
During construction and operation phases, project teams use LCAs to monitor resource consumption, energy usage and emissions. This contributes to proactive management of the environmental impacts and adherence to sustainability targets.
Learn more: The Benefits of Green Building Techniques
WLCA informs decisions regarding end-of-life scenarios, such as demolition, decommissioning or recycling. By assessing the environmental consequences of disposal options, stakeholders can adopt strategies that minimise waste generation and promote circularity. This approach ensures that the entire lifecycle of the building is considered, from material extraction to eventual demolition or repurposing.
Are you looking to gain an understanding of how to implement sustainability within the construction industry? Learn just that and more in this downloadable guide.
This guide delves into the principles of sustainable construction, relevant legislation and case studies surrounding sustainable construction projects. We look into PAS 2080, LEED, BREEAM and much more in our comprehensive guide.
Download your copy of the Sustainable Construction Guide
By considering all stages, WLCA provides a comprehensive understanding of a building's carbon footprint. This holistic approach helps architects, developers, and policymakers identify areas where carbon emissions can be minimised, promoting more sustainable building practices.
WLCAs inherently foster long-term thinking, which helps to inform the future resilience of buildings and what component maintenance, repair and replacement may be required or avoided. This approach can lead to significant cost savings over time.
Adoption of WLCA helps ensure major building projects are in line with regulatory requirements. For instance, the London Plan requires major developments to be net-zero carbon and mandates WLCA for major developments. Many London boroughs now require WLCA to be submitted as part of planning applications for new buildings and refurbishments of existing buildings.
Learn More: Why Scope 3 Emissions in property Development Matter
Despite its numerous benefits, implementing WLCA presents several challenges:
As the industry progresses, these challenges are being addressed through improved methodologies, databases tools and increased cooperation amongst stakeholders.
Through comprehensive lifecycle analysis of a building's carbon emissions, Whole Life Cycle Assessment (WLCA) assists industry professionals in making better decisions, complying with regulations, and realising long-term financial gains. As the sector continues to evolve, integrating WLCA into everyday practices becomes essential for promoting sustainable development and achieving global environmental goals. Book a free consultation with our sustainability experts to see how we can incorporate WLCA in your next construction project.