The Future Homes Hub is calling for the sector to start measuring embodied and whole life carbon to the Conventions for New Homes – and sharing a selection of their projects to enable us to benchmark the current performance of new homes more accurately.

What’s the outcome we want to achieve?

We need to build a database with enough examples to determine the benchmark average with confidence, and if possible, to identify separate benchmarks for different dwelling archetypes where these vary.

As a first milestone, we are targeting 100+ assessments across different archetypes in the first 6 months pilot period.

To support this, we are asking for all members to submit at least 1 example dwelling type (as built), with the expectation that larger homebuilders will commit to providing several examples.

What type of project is best?

We need data from across different archetypes of homes. Please submit data from projects that are typical for your business.

Consider picking an example of a dwelling type you have already built, which will enable you to draw on as much ‘as built’ product data as possible.

What’s the difference between ‘early stage’ and ‘as built’ assessments?

Step 1 – Complete an assessment for an upcoming scheme in ‘early stage’ design phase. At this point, the geometry and buildups are likely to be well understood, but specific products are not known. This gives you your ‘early stage’ assessment, where all materials reference the Default Material and Carbon Data from the Conventions for New Homes.

Step 2 – During the detail design and procurement phases, when specific products are decided, you should try to obtain the product-specific carbon impact data (e.g. EPDs) where available – and substitute this into the buildups within the LCA tool for as many products as possible. Alongside this you would update geometry for any later stage design or buildup changes. This gives you your ‘as built’ assessment.

Note that many homebuilders will have group house / apartment types, which are each constructed on many sites around the country. These are typically fully detail designed and have group procurement deals covering many of the building components. In this sense, they could be considered close to ‘as built’.

Which tools should be used to carry out the Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA)?

We recommend 2050 Materials, One Click LCA or the Hub's Future Homes Carbon Assessment Tool v2, which have the Default Materials and Carbon Data from the Conventions for New Homes already built in. We can accept assessment data from other commercial tools if it has been calculated following the Conventions for New Homes.

How should data be submitted?

We need the following two files. Please submit them via email to Adam Graveley.

When do we need the data by?

We will be running the measurement and disclosure pilot for 6 months, until June 2025. If possible, we’d like to get as much data as possible before our next WLC Oversight Group meeting on 17th March 2025.

How will we use your data?

We will validate and load your data into our database for comparison with similar projects. In mid 2025, the Hub will publish benchmarks per dwelling type based on aggregated data.

Data from individual projects will not be identifiable outside the Hub except with express permission.

Any data submitted will be managed according to our privacy policy

Can we ask questions?

Yes, please contact our team if you have any questions.