Methodology

The Low Carbon Building Initiative (LCBI) has built the first pan-European methodology and certification scheme for whole life-cycle carbon measurement of buildings, with set limit values. 

Dowload the LCBI Certification Scheme for New Construction below

LCBI Certification Scheme for New Construction
Dowload Certification Reporting Sheet

BIOME – SFL -Jouin Manku – Yrieix Martineau architecture
Photographe Alexis Pao

Nexity CDC – Habitat Eiffage

© Dreal

Carbon footprint calculation for buildings


Everyone agrees that it is crucial to reduce GHG emissions from human activities, and construction, which accounts for a third of these emissions, is no exception.

Many initiatives exist regarding existing buildings, with the aim of first reducing energy consumption, then using carbon-free energy sources. However, very few national regulations require calculation of the carbon emissions over the whole life-cycle of buildings. There are almost no regulatory safeguards to limit emissions related to construction (embodied carbon), unlike emissions related to energy consumption (operational carbon).

The Low Carbon Building Initiative purpose

There are many discrepancies across Europe in the use of Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA); different indicators, study periods, scopes, and reference areas are used. Building upon key existing standards and frameworks[1], the methodology fostered by LCBI aims to harmonize the measurement and practice of Life-Cycle Analysis across Europe with a pure carbon indicator (kgCO2e/m2), consistent with local regulations.

Addressing this, LCBI has developed a unique method to measure carbon footprints of buildings across their entire lifecycle, with limit values, basis of a certification scheme for low-carbon buildings. This method also aligns with major European standards (Taxonomy, Level(s), CRREM, RICS).

Publicly available on LCBI website, this unified European methodology simplifies the quantification and comparison of building carbon footprints, fostering decarbonization across Europe.

[1] EN15978 (LCA at building level), EN15804 (LCA at product level), instructions and guidance from Level(s).

Thais – Levallois Perret (92) France – 5.600 sqm
Covivio – DGM Architectes
Label BBCA Standard – New Built

© Atomic Graphic

LCBI Certification Scheme

View below video presenting LCBI Methodology and Certification Scheme

 


Considering the entire life-cycle, LCBI Certification scheme will assess building’s performance on three criteria:

  • The embodied carbon (emissions linked to building elements) measured in kg CO2e/m² over 50 years
  • The operational carbon (based on energies sources used) measured in kg CO2e/m²/year

  • Biogenic carbon stored (use of bio-sourced materials) in the building measured in kg CO2e/m²

The LCBI life-cycle carbon rating will be delivered with three exemplarity levels based on:

  • Completeness of the Life Cycle Analysis

  • Achievement of carbon emission thresholds, both concerning embodied carbon and operational carbon
LCBI Certification Scheme for New Construction