Embodied Carbon & Building Life Cycle Assessment
Operational energy is only part of a building's carbon story. We assess materials, construction and end-of-life impact to give you a genuine whole-life carbon picture.
Regulation and reporting are catching up with embodied carbon
As operational energy efficiency improves, embodied carbon — from materials, construction and demolition — makes up an increasing share of a building's total emissions. Certification schemes, investors and increasingly regulators expect that impact to be measured, not estimated.
We carry out life cycle assessment (LCA) in line with EN 15978 principles, quantifying carbon across a building's structure, envelope and finishes, and comparing design or retrofit options on a genuine whole-life basis.
- ✓Certification-ready reporting — LCA structured to support LEED, BREEAM and EU sustainability disclosure.
- ✓Design-stage comparison — Compare material and structural options before decisions are locked in.
- ✓Retrofit vs. rebuild evidence — Quantify when retaining and retrofitting a structure beats demolition and rebuild.
- ✓Investor & funder confidence — Credible, methodology-backed carbon reporting for ESG and grant requirements.
How we deliver this service
Scope & boundary
We agree the assessment boundary — cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave, or a specific standard.
Bill of materials
Quantities are extracted from design drawings, BIM models or as-built records.
Carbon calculation
Embodied carbon factors are applied using recognised databases and methodologies.
Scenario comparison
We compare design, material or retrofit-vs-rebuild options side by side.
Reporting
A clear report structured for certification, funding or board-level sign-off.
Sectors we support
Developers & contractors
Design-stage carbon comparison to inform material selection.
Local authorities
Retrofit-vs-rebuild evidence for public building decisions.
Commercial owners & investors
ESG and certification-aligned carbon reporting for portfolios.
Educational & research institutions
LCA methodology support for research and campus projects.
FAQs
What is the difference between embodied and operational carbon?
Embodied carbon covers emissions from materials, construction and end-of-life, while operational carbon covers emissions from energy use during the building's life. A full life cycle assessment accounts for both.
Do you support LEED or BREEAM carbon credits?
Yes. We prepare life cycle assessment reporting aligned to LEED and BREEAM credit requirements, as well as general EU sustainability and reporting frameworks.
Can LCA be applied to an existing building, not just new design?
Yes. We assess embodied carbon in retrofit and refurbishment scenarios, helping compare the carbon impact of retrofit versus new build options.