The new tool released by the Building Cost Information Service is able to measure and report on whole life costs and whole life carbon emissions at the same time
Named the Life Cycle Evaluator, the tool brings together BCIS’s extensive cost data, building on more than 60 years of experience.
The measurement device also draws on detailed carbon data from the Built Environment Carbon Database (BECD).
James Fiske, BCIS CEO and chair of the BECD steering group, said: “By combining reliable and consistent cost and carbon data, which crucially complies with industry standards and is fully auditable, Life Cycle Evaluator empowers professionals to make informed decisions that optimise both project budget and environmental impact.”
The tool is the latest BCIS service offered to help reduce whole life carbon emissions
The launch of the Life Cycle Evaluator follows the release of BCIS’s Cost and Carbon Materials Database, which provides comparative cost.
BSIC also previously launched the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) details for thousands of materials and components, and the Built Environment Carbon Database, a collaborative initiative that includes an extensive repository of EPDs and project carbon data.
Fiske said: “Combining cost and carbon data in one place is a logical development given the increasing requirement for both detailed whole life cost and whole life carbon plans to be produced, evaluated and audited in projects.
“We expect to see more audits being carried out on projects’ green credentials, making the accuracy of assessments – in some cases carried out to secure financing – even more critical.”
The device aligns with the built environment standard from RICS
The built environment standard enables users to produce reports in various formats without having to worry about complex requirements.
The tool’s development with RICS’s whole life carbon assessment in mind ensures consistency between carbon calculators.
“Standardising the way everyone carries out whole life carbon assessments is really important,” said Fiske.
“Enabling professionals to be able to do them at the same time as whole life cost assessments is something that will hopefully improve efficiencies and ultimately reduce emissions.”
