Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Services
Life Cycle Assessments or LCA’s for short, is a method of evaluating the overall potential environmental impact of construction projects from commencement to completion. These assessments looks at the energy used and production of pollutants including the total carbon debt throughout the project lifecycle.
Comprehensive LCA approach aligned with project stages
RIBA Stages 0-1 (Strategic Definition & Preparation)
Early baseline assessments and sustainability goal-setting
RIBA Stages 2-3 (Concept & Developed Design)
Rapid comparative analyses for material selection and design optioneering.
RIBA Stage 4 (Technical Design)
Detailed whole-building LCA to inform specification decisions
RIBA Stages 5-6 (Construction & Handover)
As-built LCA verification and performance gap analysis
RIBA Stage 7 (In Use)
Operational carbon monitoring and verification against design predictions
Our consultancy services help clients make informed decisions through:
- Comparative analysis of structural systems, façade options, and MEP configurations:
- Material substitution studies to identify lower-impact alternatives
- Scenario modeling to evaluate different design approaches
- Cost-benefit analysis of carbon reduction strategies
- Hotspot identification to prioritise improvement efforts
Our Services
OneClick LCA
SOCOTEC utilises OneClick LCA, an industry-leading LCA software platform that offers:
- Comprehensive materials databases with region-specific environmental data
- Integration with BIM and other design tools for streamlined workflows
- Support for multiple certification schemes (BREEAM, LEED, WELL)
- Visualization tools for clear communication of results to stakeholders
- Regular updates to maintain compliance with evolving standards and methodologies
Whole-Life Carbon Optimisation
We address both embodied and operational carbon through integrated assessment:
- Evaluation of upfront embodied carbon from materials and construction
- Analysis of recurring embodied carbon from maintenance and replacement
- Assessment of operational carbon from energy and water use
- End-of-life carbon considerations for demolition and disposal/reuse
- Identification of trade-offs between embodied and operational impacts
- Optimization strategies to achieve the lowest whole-life carbon footprint
Strategic Value
- Our LCA services deliver strategic value through:
- Compliance with evolving regulatory requirements and voluntary standards
- Enhanced ESG performance and reporting capabilities
- Cost optimization through early identification of efficient solutions
- Risk mitigation for future carbon pricing and material availability
- Market differentiation through verified sustainability performance
- Support for corporate carbon reduction targets and net-zero strategies
With SOCOTEC’s LCA expertise, clients gain the insights needed to reduce environmental impact while enhancing project value and resilience across the entire building lifecycle.