What is whole life carbon?

Whole life carbon (WLC) is the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a building over its entire life: from material extraction and manufacture (embodied), through operational energy use, maintenance and replacement, to demolition and disposal. It follows the EN 15978 lifecycle stages A-D.

What are the EN 15978 lifecycle stages?

A1-A3: Product manufacture. A4: Transport to site. A5: Construction. B1: Use. B2: Maintenance. B3: Repair. B4: Replacement. B5: Refurbishment. B6: Operational energy. B7: Operational water. C1: Deconstruction. C2: Transport. C3: Waste processing. C4: Disposal. D: Beyond lifecycle (reuse/recycling benefits).

What is the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment?

RICS published the professional statement on Whole Life Carbon Assessment in 2017 (updated 2023). It provides a standardised method for calculating WLC of buildings, mandatory for RICS members. It aligns with EN 15978 and is increasingly required by planning authorities.

What are good WLC targets?

LETI (London Energy Transformation Initiative) targets for 2030: Residential <500 kgCO2e/m2 (embodied) and operational energy to be net zero. RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge targets similar levels. Current typical new builds are 800-1200 kgCO2e/m2 total WLC.

How can I reduce whole life carbon?

Key strategies: optimise structural design (less material), use low-carbon materials (timber frame, recycled steel), design for longevity and adaptability, specify energy-efficient systems, use renewable energy, design for deconstruction (enabling material reuse at end of life).

TradeCalculator

Whole Life Carbon Calculator

Calculate whole life carbon emissions using RICS methodology

Floor Area

Product Stage (A1-A3)

Annual Operational Energy (B6)

How We Calculate This

Enter the embodied carbon for each lifecycle stage: product manufacture (A1-A3), transport (A4), construction waste (A5), annual operational energy (B6), operational water (B7), maintenance cycles (B2), and end-of-life (C1-C4). The calculator multiplies operational figures by the building lifetime (default 60 years per RICS) and sums all stages to give total whole life carbon. Results are normalised per m2 and benchmarked against LETI/RIBA targets.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.