Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA)
Verified Whole Lifecycle Impact for Sustainable Products
What is a Whole Life Carbon Assessment?
A Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) measures the total carbon impact of a building or asset across its entire lifecycle – from the extraction of raw materials and manufacturing of products, through transport, construction and use, all the way to end-of-life and potential reuse or recycling. WLCA follows recognised standards such as EN 15978, the RICS Whole Life Carbon Methodology, and the London Plan, providing a complete picture of both embodied and operational carbon.
Its purpose is to enable project teams to design, deliver and operate buildings in accordance with contemporary whole-life carbon performance standards, emerging embodied-carbon regulations and long-term net-zero compliance trajectories.
Benefits of a Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA):
- Supports planning & compliance – meets London Plan requirements and aligns with EN 15978 and RICS WLCA Guidance.
- Meeting mandatory contractor and developer expectations – major contractors, Tier 1 developers and public-sector clients increasingly require WLCAs as standard for project selection and compliance.
- Enables low-carbon design – identifies carbon hotspots and compares materials and systems early in the process.
- Improves procurement & tender performance – provides the lifecycle carbon data clients and contractors expect.
- Supports net-zero strategies – supplies the evidence needed to track and report progress against carbon targets.
- Reduces project risk – avoids late-stage redesigns and prepares projects for future carbon regulation.
Our Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) Consulting Services
Arthian’s WLCA specialists manage the entire lifecycle of your Whole Life Carbon Assessment – from initial scoping and data collection through to final calculation, reporting and submission. Our WLCA specialists support developers, architects, designers, contractors and manufacturers across the construction sector, helping project teams quantify embodied and operational carbon with accuracy and confidence. Whether you’re delivering a major development, responding to planning requirements under the London Plan, or seeking to demonstrate low-carbon performance to clients and stakeholders, our consultants provide the technical expertise and strategic guidance needed to produce a robust, fully compliant WLCA.
1. Project Scoping & Methodology Setup
We begin by defining the project scope and establishing the correct WLCA methodology based on EN 15978 and the RICS Whole Life Carbon framework. This stage sets your assessment boundaries, required lifecycle modules, data needs and compliance pathway – ensuring your WLCA is aligned from the start with planning and client expectations.
2. Data Collection & Inputs Support
Collecting accurate project data can be complex, so we make the process clear and manageable. We help gather and validate the required inputs, including material quantities, product specifications, EPDs, transport assumptions and operational performance data. Our team ensures your dataset is complete, consistent and modelling-ready.
3. Embodied Carbon Modelling (A1–C4)
Using industry-recognised tools and trusted databases, we model embodied carbon across all relevant lifecycle stages – from raw material extraction through construction, maintenance and end-of-life. We apply robust assumptions, identify carbon hotspots and ensure full compliance with EN 15978 and RICS rules. This modelling forms the technical backbone of your WLCA.
4. Operational Carbon Assessment (B6–B7)
We calculate operational energy emissions based on predicted building performance, MEP design data and grid decarbonisation assumptions. Integrating operational and embodied results provides a complete whole-life carbon picture and enables more informed design decisions.
5. Whole Life Carbon Reduction Strategy & Design Optimisation
With the modelling complete, we translate the findings into practical recommendations. This includes material comparisons, design optimisation, alternative scenarios and strategies to reduce both embodied and operational carbon. We highlight opportunities to meet planning requirements and support your net-zero objectives.
6. WLCA Reporting & Submission Preparation
We develop a clear, compliant and well-structured WLCA report that meets RICS, EN 15978 and London Plan expectations. This includes documenting methodology, assumptions, lifecycle results, reduction measures and visual breakdowns. Our reports are planning-ready and designed for easy interpretation by clients and stakeholders.
7. Ongoing Project & Design Team Support
Carbon assessment doesn’t stop at the model – we stay involved throughout the project. We attend design meetings, respond to technical queries, update assessments as the design evolves and support you through planning submissions. Our consultants ensure your WLCA remains accurate, defensible and aligned with project objectives at every stage.
Why Choose Arthian?
- No software costs. We use fully licensed WLCA tools, so you avoid expensive software and subscriptions.
- Clear, expert guidance. We make data collection simple and ensure your WLCA follows EN 15978, RICS and London Plan requirements.
- Faster, smoother delivery. Our experience prevents delays and rework, ensuring planning submissions stay on track.
- Accurate, compliant results. We produce robust, defensible WLCAs trusted by planners, contractors and design teams.
- Early-stage feasibility & baselining. Get carbon insights before key design decisions are fixed, enabling better low-carbon choices.
- Support for BREEAM credits. We help achieve BREEAM points linked to lifecycle and whole-life carbon assessments.
- London Plan & GLA compliance. We deliver WLCAs for all required stages to meet Greater London Authority planning rules.
- Guidance for architects & design teams. We help teams understand and reduce carbon impacts across materials, structure and systems.
- Portfolio-wide WLCA for ESG & Scope 3. Ideal for developers or contractors needing benchmarking or corporate carbon reporting.
- Reduced internal workload. We handle the modelling, reporting and technical detail — freeing your team to focus on delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between embodied and operational carbon?
Embodied carbon comes from material extraction, manufacturing, and construction. Operational carbon covers emissions from energy and water use during the building’s life.
At what stage of a project should I commission a WLCA?
The earlier, the better. Ideally, WLCAs should begin during concept design to maximise opportunities for carbon reduction and cost efficiency.
What types of products or services can be assessed using LCA?
In practical terms, a WLCA in construction helps project teams:
- Understand the carbon impact of materials, transport and construction activities (embodied carbon)
- Measure operational emissions from energy and water use once the building is in use
- Plan for maintenance, repair and refurbishment impacts over time
- Assess end-of-life emissions, including demolition, waste processing and disposal
- Identify reduction opportunities early, when design decisions still have the biggest impact
- Demonstrate compliance with planning requirements, Net Zero pathways and sustainability standards (such as RICS, PAS 2080 and ISO LCA standards)
In short, a WLCA is a holistic carbon analysis that helps the construction industry make smarter, lower-carbon decisions at every stage of a project’s life.
Is WLCA required for planning applications?
Planning authorities worldwide are increasingly moving toward a future where Whole Life Carbon Assessments (WLCAs) are not just encouraged but required. The Greater London Authority (GLA) is one of the leading early adopters of this approach, demonstrating its commitment to environmental
responsibility through strict WLCA requirements across both design and construction. By mandating assessments at multiple project stages, the GLA is actively driving the industry toward lower-carbon solutions and setting a standard that many other regions are now watching closely—and are likely to follow.
Can WLCA support my Net Zero strategy?
Absolutely. WLCA is a key tool for setting carbon budgets, measuring progress, and demonstrating alignment with Net Zero targets.
What WLCA tools do you use?
We use industry-recognized WLCA software and frameworks, often integrating with BIM workflows to streamline data analysis and reporting.
What’s the difference between WLCA and Embodied Carbon Assessment?
WLCA covers both embodied and operational carbon across the entire lifecycle, while embodied carbon focuses only on materials and construction.
Is WLCA mandatory?
Increasingly, yes — especially for major developments under the London Plan and projects seeking Net Zero certification.