Whole Life-Cycle Carbon Assessments guidance

Whole Life-Cycle Carbon (WLC) emissions are the carbon emissions resulting from the materials, construction and the use of a building over its entire life, including its demolition and disposal. A WLC assessment provides a true picture of a building’s carbon impact on the environment.  London Plan Policy SI 2 sets out a requirement for development proposals to calculate and reduce WLC emissions as part of a WLC assessment.

The WLC Assessment guidance document explains how to prepare a WLC assessment and how and when to submit it. The guidance is for anyone involved in, or with an interest in, developing WLC assessments including planning applicants, developers, designers, energy consultants and local authority officers. A WLC assessment template has also been produced which applicants will be expected to use to report the required information:

• Whole Life-Cycle Carbon Assessment template

Local authorities should secure the post-construction stage WLC assessment through a planning condition or legal agreement with the applicant. Local authorities may use this draft wording for this purpose.

This London Plan Guidance (LPG) and assessment template have been prepared by the Greater London Authority with technical expertise from Cundall and Targeting Zero, and through engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including developers and industry experts. A summary of the engagement work, feedback and changes to the guidance since the draft guidance was published can be found in the Whole Life-Cycle Carbon Assessments LPG consultation summary report. A record of the consultation is available on the GLA engagement portal.

Equality issues have been considered throughout the development of the LPG. These are set out in the Equality Impact Assessment.

The LPG has been formally adopted by the Mayor. Details of this can be found in the Mayoral Decision.