Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is becoming a central aspect of construction work. As the focus increases on tackling environmental challenges and minimizing carbon footprint across all industries, finding innovative and measurable ways to mitigate their environmental impact is becoming essential. Not just to meet regulatory demands, but to remain competitive in an increasingly eco-conscious market as well. In the construction industry, LCA has become the key to honing in on specific environmental challenges throughout the entire lifespan of a construction project, from cradle to grave.
LCA for construction has a foundation in many different international and local standards, certifications, and guidelines that form a legal and regulatory context and framework for it. In this article, we aim to explore the key standards associated with LCA and touch on international initiatives and environmental pledges within the Nordic countries and the EU, particularly for milestone years like 2030 and 2050.
International ISO standards for LCA
Several key ISO standards influence the shape and focal points of LCA for construction. Among them are standards that aim widely to form frameworks and structure for the process of LCA, while others focus on specific stages and areas, or target related industries such as mineral extraction or logistics.
The principles of LCA – ISO 14040 and ISO 14044
These standards are foundational international standards that provide principles and a framework for conducting LCA. ISO 14040 outlines the principles and framework for conducting LCA, emphasizing the importance of a systematic approach in evaluating the environmental aspects and potential impacts throughout a product’s life cycle. For the construction industry, this entails defining the stages and phases of LCA. ISO 14044 specifies the detailed requirements for performing each stage of the LCA process, ensuring a comprehensive and standardized methodology.
Together, these standards provide a foundation for performing LCA studies with consistency and reliability. They help to establish how to quantify and measure the environmental impact of various materials, processes, and practices while fostering a global understanding of these impacts.
What does ISO 14025 mean in the context of LCA?
ISO 14025 establishes the principles and procedures for developing Type III environmental declaration programs, and Type III environmental declarations. This is the foundation for the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) which, in the context of the construction industry, provides important data on the environmental impact of products and materials. EPDs communicate the environmental performance of products based on LCA results, offering transparency to consumers and decision-makers. The ISO 14025 standard establishes the core requirements for creating EPDs, ensuring consistency and reliability in the information communicated. By encouraging the use of EPDs, ISO 14025 contributes to the broader goal of promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns, guiding industries and consumers toward environmentally friendly choices in construction materials and products.
EDP is defined by ISO 15804
This standard specifically targets construction products, providing the principles, specifications, and requirements to develop EPD for the construction industry. ISO 15804 facilitates the evaluation of the total environmental impact of each product and material from raw material extraction to final disposal. By providing a standardized methodology, ISO 15804 promotes transparency and comparability in assessing the environmental credentials of construction products, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions that align with sustainable practices for the built environment.
The foundation for LCA in the construction industry
In essence, these international standards collectively provide a comprehensive framework, ensuring the reliability, consistency, and comparability of LCA studies. They not only facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices in the construction industry but also contribute to a global understanding of environmental impacts across diverse sectors, fostering a more environmentally conscious and responsible approach to decision-making and development.
What Certifications and Guidelines are related to LCA
Where the ISO standards form the foundation for LCA, there are certifications and guidelines where LCA serves as part of a foundation to ensure a systematic and transparent approach to environmentally conscious construction practices. The most known ones among these are LEED and BREEAM. Additionally, different national guidelines are worth mentioning, such as those for the Nordic countries.
What is LEED in relation to LCA?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, stands as a preeminent certification system that integrates LCA principles into the evaluation of the environmental performance of buildings. LEED certification encompasses a comprehensive set of criteria, covering aspects from energy efficiency to sustainable materials. LCA is particularly emphasized in the Materials and Resources category, where projects earn points for utilizing environmentally preferable products, which are often determined through life cycle considerations. LEED's influence extends beyond the United States, shaping global perspectives on sustainable construction.
What is BREEAM in relation to LCA?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a widely recognized and utilized certification system for evaluating the sustainability of buildings through a holistic approach. BREEAM places a strong emphasis on environmental performance, including life cycle considerations of products. BREEAM encourages the use of products with low environmental impact and emphasizes the importance of sustainable sourcing and production. The Materials category within BREEAM specifically addresses life cycle impacts, promoting the selection of materials that minimize environmental harm.
By integrating LCA principles, BREEAM aligns itself with broader sustainability goals, encouraging construction projects worldwide to prioritize environmentally responsible practices and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!
Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest articles, exclusive event invitations, product updates, and more engaging content directly to your inbox!
Green Building Initiatives and LCA
Both the Nordic countries and the European Union have embraced green building initiatives that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility. These initiatives, often incorporating Life Cycle Assessment principles, are instrumental in shaping construction practices, influencing regulations, and fostering a collective commitment to sustainable development in the built environment.
Green building initiatives play an important part in implementing these ideals into the construction industry. Examples of such green building initiatives are the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, and the EU Green Deal.
Nordic Swan Ecolabel in relation to LCA
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel, prevalent in the Nordic countries, is a long-standing ecolabel that certifies all types of products and services based on rigorous environmental criteria. In the context of construction, the label encourages the use of materials and construction practices with lower environmental impact, promoting sustainability throughout the life cycle of buildings. This initiative plays a crucial role in aligning construction practices with environmental goals in the Nordic region.
EU Green Deal and LCA
The EU Green Deal is a comprehensive initiative that outlines the European Union's commitment to becoming the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050. As part of this deal, the construction sector is a key focus area. The Renovation Wave strategy under the Green Deal aims to make buildings in the EU more energy-efficient and sustainable. LCA is likely to play a significant role in guiding the environmental performance of buildings, and influencing regulations and standards across EU member states.
Working towards milestone goals of 2030 and 2050
The Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, as well as the EU, have made notable commitments to reform their industries to reach certain ecological targets for emissions and sustainability, set for the years 2030 and 2050. Reaching these goals is a great undertaking that will take a lot of concerted effort from all industries, with construction being one of the major industries needing to make concerted efforts to change and innovate their practices. LCA will likely play a crucial role in facilitating these changes by highlighting areas for improvement.
Norway
Norway has set ambitious ecological goals for 2030, with a primary focus on mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The country aims to achieve a 40% reduction in emissions compared to 1990 levels. In the context of the construction sector, this translates into a commitment to sustainable building practices, including the incorporation of low-carbon materials, energy-efficient designs, and a broader adoption of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess and reduce the environmental impact of construction projects. Norway has set a target of becoming completely carbon-neutral by 2050.
Sweden
Sweden's ecological goals for 2030 are closely aligned with the European Union's targets. The country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 63% compared to 1990 levels. In the construction sector, this implies a heightened emphasis on sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, and the use of environmentally friendly materials. Life Cycle Assessment is expected to be integrated into building regulations and certifications. Sweden's long-term vision for 2050 is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Finland
Finland is expected to enhance its building codes to promote sustainable construction. LCA considerations may become integral to obtaining approvals for construction projects. Finland has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 39% compared to 2005 levels by 2030. In the construction sector, this translates into a strong emphasis on sustainable building practices and the integration of renewable energy sources. Finland, like many other nations, aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
European Union
The European Union has set ambitious ecological goals for 2030, encompassing various sectors to address the challenges posed by climate change. One of the key targets is a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990 levels. This reduction is part of the EU's broader efforts to become a climate-neutral continent by 2050. In the context of the construction industry, the EU's goals for 2030 imply a significant emphasis on sustainability, energy efficiency, and the reduction of environmental impact in building practices. The construction sector is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving these targets by adopting green building practices, incorporating renewable energy sources, and optimizing the use of environmentally friendly materials.
LCA and achieving ecological goals
The goals set across Europe for 2030 and 2050 signal the need for a significant change of direction towards sustainable practices and minimizing carbon footprint in all industries. As a significant contributor to carbon emissions, the construction industry is in need of better tools for LCA and planning with the environmental impact in mind.
Anavitor LCA - LCA and BIM unified
Developed by Nordic BIM Group, Anavitor LCA brings together LCA and BIM as a proper two-way solution. Anavitor LCA plugs right into Archicad and provides a visual representation of your LCA data directly in your BIM. There are plenty of innovative functions that make it easier to work with LCA and make informed decisions on various aspects of the construction project. Book a demo today and see all the ways Anavitor LCA can help you work towards greater sustainability in all your construction projects.
