Whole life carbon conventions and simple tool
Context
As the homes we build become more energy efficient, increase their use of heat pumps, and as the grid decarbonises, the embodied carbon in the materials we use becomes more important.
As government considers its policy approach to embodied and whole-life carbon in new homes, the sector needs to better understand and consistently measure its whole-life carbon footprint.
The Hub and industry, through the Whole Life Carbon Steering Group, commissioned WSP to develop a set of consistent Conventions and a simple, free Whole Life Carbon Assessment Tool.
Ultimately, a consistent approach to measurement and an industry-wide baseline will help inform a long-term roadmap, underpinned with supporting targets, for industry to reduce its embodied carbon footprint.
In May 2024, we launched:
- Whole Life Carbon Conventions for New Homes, to help the sector consistently measure and share whole life carbon assessments.
- Future Homes Carbon Assessment Tool – which will make whole life carbon more accessible to SMEs and others who may not have a lot of time and resource to spend on this topic, as well as those starting on this journey.
Whole Life Carbon Conventions for New Homes
Developed by the sector – comprising of developers, manufacturers and whole life carbon experts – the FHH Whole Life Carbon Conventions for New Homes aim to help businesses across the sector share and report whole life carbon assessments on a consistent basis.
The WLC conventions:
- Drive consistency of WLC assessment outputs by agreeing the assumptions and conventions relevant for new homes sector.
- Help the sector move towards mainstream measurement and disclosure – building awareness and engaging the mass market.
The Conventions reference the same core methodology defined by EN 15978 and RICS PS 2023, and can be used with any commercial assessment tool.
Thank you to all of those who have contributed their time. See the Embodied and whole life carbon project page for the list of those involved.
Whole life carbon tool for homebuilders
The Future Homes Carbon Assessment Tool focus is to estimate whole life carbon in a way that is consistent, quick, low cost and straightforward enough to drive significant uptake across the new homes sector.
It enables whole life carbon to be compared between different design options for individual dwellings and informs early-stage decision making. The first version of the tool uses only pre-defined example build-ups, and is not appropriate for detailed, later stage, analysis.
The Future Homes Carbon Assessment Tool:
- is aimed at developers, architects and designers.
- runs as an add-in for Microsoft Excel.
- provides a simple to use, accessible, free of charge way for homebuilders to calculate embodied and whole life carbon – and quickly see the potential impact of different design options, construction systems or specification choices, particularly at early design stages.
Quick start guide: This 2-minute video explainer walks through the process of setting up the FHH WLC Tool.
IMPORTANT: To download the Add-In to your computer, you will need to right click the Button below and select: Save Linked File or Download Linked File or Save Link As (depending on your browser). The Add-In is an XML file.
If you are having any issues downloading the file after viewing the video explainer then please reach out to the Future Homes Hub team.
We want your feedback
Developing the conventions and the tool is an ongoing process – the Hub is inviting feedback on both.
We would like to hear about:
- any issues there may be implementing and reporting to the conventions in existing tools and those under development.
- any new or improved material data or reference points for default assumptions.
- your experience of using the tool – in order to guide future development and prioritise features.
- any build-ups that should be considered to be added to the pre-defined list (note: v2 of the tool will enable bespoke materials and buildups to be defined by the user).
Please send us your comments, observations or suggestions by completing our
online feedback form.
Timeline and Next steps
May 2024 – Launch and Feedback
- Launch of WLC Conventions and Assessment Tool
- Gather feedback on Conventions and Tool from users
Summer 2024 – Further Improvements and Disclosure Pilot
- Assessment Tool update, including ‘as built’ reporting
- Measurement and disclosure pilot begins
January 2025 – Targeted approach to reduction
- Consistent measurement supports the creation of industry benchmarks
- Develop and agree indicative target levels, by dwelling type, in line with One Plan Sustainability Performance Framework
For more detailed information on the key milestones, visit the
Embodied and whole life carbon project page.
Disclaimer
The Future Homes Carbon Assessment Tool is provided 'as is', without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to any warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. In no event shall the authors or copyright holders be liable for any claim, damages or other liability, whether in an action of contract, tort or otherwise, arising from, out of or in connection with the tool or the use or other dealings in the tool.
Embodied carbon results are intended to provide a ‘guide’ for comparison purposes and should not be taken as a definitive value for the project.
The Future Homes Carbon Assessment Tool relies on users inputting project information, including high-level building geometry inputs and selecting pre-defined build-ups for one or more elements. Pre-defined build-ups and associated material quantities within the tool are based on typical indicative build-ups and may not reflect the exact constructions and quantities used in your project.
Users should therefore carefully consider and take responsibility for how they apply the tool