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Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA)

A Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) provides a full carbon lifecycle analysis by quantifying embodied carbon, operational carbon and end-of-life emissions in accordance with standards such as RICS WLCA and BS EN 15978.

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Planning Services Whole life carbon assessments in accordance with RICS and BS EN 15978 Embodied carbon calculations using recognised databases Operational carbon modelling integrated with energy assessments Planning submission reports and ESG reporting

What Is a Whole Life Carbon Assessment?

A Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) measures the full carbon impact of a building across its entire lifecycle — embodied carbon, operational carbon, and end-of-life carbon.

Our WLCA Services

  • Embodied Carbon Assessment — structural materials, envelope, finishes, MEP systems
  • Operational Carbon Modelling — aligned with SAP and SBEM outputs
  • Lifecycle Carbon Modelling — A1–A5, B1–B7, C1–C4 and Stage D
  • Planning and Compliance Reporting — structured for planning submission and ESG reporting

Why Whole Life Carbon Assessment Matters

  • Identify carbon hotspots early in the design process
  • Compare low-carbon material options
  • Reduce embodied and operational emissions
  • Support ESG reporting and funding requirements
  • Meet planning authority requirements for embodied carbon statements

Our Whole Life Carbon Assessment Services

We calculate embodied carbon associated with:

Structural materials

Building envelope systems

Internal finishes

MEP systems

Construction processes

Using recognised databases and lifecycle carbon modelling tools, we produce accurate, transparent embodied carbon calculations.

Operational Carbon Modelling

Operational emissions are modelled using energy assessment data including SAP and SBEM outputs where applicable.

This ensures your operational carbon assessment aligns with Part L compliance and real-world energy performance projections.

Lifecycle Carbon Modelling (A–D Stages)

We assess carbon emissions across:

Product stage (A1–A3)

Construction stage (A4–A5)

Use stage (B1–B7)

End-of-life stage (C1–C4)

Beyond lifecycle benefits (Stage D)

This full lifecycle carbon modelling approach ensures compliance with UK WLCA methodologies.

Integrated Sustainability Consultancy

Whole life carbon assessment works most effectively when integrated with broader sustainability strategy.

Vision Energy can combine WLCA with:

Energy Statements

SAP and SBEM calculations

Net Zero Carbon strategies

Thermal modelling

Overheating assessments

BREEAM consultancy

This integrated approach ensures carbon reduction is aligned with overall compliance and performance objectives.

Who We Work With

Our whole life carbon consultancy services support:

Property developers

Architects

Planning consultants

Structural engineers

Housing associations

Commercial asset owners

Whether at concept design, planning stage or technical development, we provide reliable lifecycle carbon expertise.