Whole Life Carbon Frameworks and Knowledge

The CIBSE Technical Symposium 2024 session “Whole Life Carbon Frameworks and Knowledge” provided critical insights into the global and regional strategies to mitigate carbon emissions in the built environment. This blog explores the findings shared during the session, emphasising frameworks and practical approaches to assess and reduce carbon emissions across the lifecycle of buildings.

Whole Life Carbon: A Holistic Perspective

Whole Life Carbon (WLC) integrates both embodied carbon (EC)—emissions from material production, construction, and end-of-life processes—and operational carbon (OC) from energy usage during a building’s life. The session underscored that reducing WLC is paramount as the construction sector contributes approximately 37% of global energy-related emissions.

A notable highlight was Arup’s commitment to systematically lower WLC in their projects by leveraging their Zero platform, which enables detailed carbon data collection across all building stages. This platform not only identifies hotspots but also aligns project designs with net-zero targets.

Global Practices in Reducing Carbon Footprints

The session featured case studies, including London’s housing retrofits and net-zero strategies in emerging economies like India:

London’s Housing Stock Refurbishment
Retrofitting existing homes emerged as a significant pathway to reducing operational carbon. Aashika Shibu’s research demonstrated that refurbishing 74% of Central London’s housing stock could save 349 million tCO2e over 60 years. Strategies like improved insulation, double glazing, and LED lighting can ensure retrofits align with the UK’s 2050 net-zero goal
India’s Net-Zero Ambitions
Shweta Salvankar’s work highlighted challenges in India due to unregulated building practices. She proposed a provisional carbon assessment framework tailored to Indian contexts. The adoption of low-carbon materials like Glulam and renewable energy systems was pivotal in achieving net-zero targets in pilot projects.

Key Challenges and Industry Recommendations

Several barriers to WLC reduction were identified, including:

Data Gaps: A lack of robust, localised environmental data hinders comprehensive lifecycle assessments. The Zero platform addresses this by standardising data collection and enabling granular insights.

Material and System Choices: The carbon intensity of materials like concrete and steel remains a concern. Comparative analyses suggest substituting these with alternatives like engineered wood or recycled materials can significantly reduce embodied carbon.

Knowledge Gaps: The need for cross-sector collaboration and capacity building is critical. Stakeholders must adopt a lifecycle approach to decision-making, moving beyond operational energy considerations alone.

Innovative Solutions: VEXO’s Role in Carbon Reduction

At VEXO International, we aim to contribute to global decarbonisation efforts with our innovative solutions:

X-POT: A pioneering 4-in1 system that represents less embodied carbon than 4 different products which also improves heating and cooling efficiencies, reducing operational carbon.

Y-MAG: Designed for water filtration in HVAC systems, it enhances system longevity while minimising energy use.

S-BMS (Smart Building Management System): By optimising building performance, S-BMS significantly curtails operational emissions.

Our technologies align with the principles of Whole Life Carbon reduction by enhancing efficiency and sustainability at every stage of a building’s lifecycle.

Take the Next Step Toward Net Zero

The session highlighted the urgent need to transition to net-zero carbon frameworks globally. VEXO is committed to supporting businesses and developers in achieving their sustainability goals.

Ready to reduce your building’s carbon footprint?

Explore how our X-POT, Y-MAG, and S-BMS systems can contribute to fewer CO2 emissions. Book a demo or contact our team today to discuss tailored solutions for your projects.