Whole Life Carbon Framework

This framework from the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) can help you to reduce and manage carbon emissions in the built environment. It aims to support low-carbon decision-making across a building’s life cycle, while also helping to guide projects toward net-zero aligned outcomes. The framework outlines practical approaches and options for minimising whole life carbon - the sum of all greenhouse gas emissions associated with a building, from material extraction and construction, through its use, to demolition and disposal - from early design through to operation and end-of-life. It consists of four overarching principles (act today and stay adaptable; set objectives and targets; ensure accountability; and measure, verify, and disclose) and four delivery principles (minimise embodied carbon; optimise operational energy and water performance; manage residual emissions; and optimise user impacts), supported by sub-principles and life-cycle-based actions to implement at each stage of a building project.

Though created within the context of the UK’s built environment, the content is largely applicable across geographies.