How will RICS WLCA 2nd edition impact UKGBC net zero policies and frameworks?

Insights from the UK Green Building Council

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has over 700 members, and works to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment through its extensive policy work and collaborative efforts with industry leaders. Following the July 2024 release of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) 2nd edition methodology — a comprehensive professional standard to ensure consistency and excellence in the built environment — there is significant interest in how the UKGBC’s policy and framework development will be impacted. This article explores the implications of this updated standard on UKGBC’s initiatives and the broader construction industry.

The significance of RICS 2nd edition professional standard

The RICS 2nd edition professional standard is a comprehensive update that aims to bring greater consistency and transparency in how whole-life carbon assessments are conducted. This standard provides a clear methodology for calculations, for the industry to adopt a more uniform practice. The improved guidelines cover aspects such as end-of-life scenarios, transportation profiles, and contingency factors, ensuring that the calculations are both accurate and reliable. This consistency is necessary for driving the industry towards a more consistent, sustainable future.

One of the most significant improvements in the RICS 2nd edition professional standard is the detailed guidance on end-of-life scenarios. By setting a standard approach to these scenarios, the new guidelines ensure that the long-term impacts of building materials and construction methods are thoroughly accounted for. This holistic view is essential for accurate life-cycle assessments (LCAs) and helps stakeholders make more informed decisions about sustainable building practices.

Additionally, the incorporation of transportation profiles into the standard emphasises the importance of considering the environmental impact of transporting materials to and from a construction site. By including these profiles, the RICS 2nd edition professional standard addresses a previously overlooked aspect of carbon emissions in the construction process.

The introduction of contingency factors is another notable development. These factors provide a systematic way to account for uncertainties in the data used in LCAs. This approach not only improves the reliability of the assessments but also enhances their transparency, making it easier for stakeholders to understand the assumptions and limitations of the results.

Impact on UKGBC's work

The work undertaken by UKGBC, particularly their Net Zero Carbon Framework, is heavily influenced by the RICS standards. The updated standard directly supports UKGBC's calls for greater consistency, stronger regulation, and the upskilling of LCA professionals. By setting a clear and rigorous methodology for whole-life carbon assessments, the RICS 2nd edition professional standard provides a solid foundation for UKGBC's advocacy for policy changes. This alignment ensures that the industry can move towards more effective decarbonisation strategies.

The updated standard’s emphasis on transparency and consistency aligns closely with UKGBC’s goals. For instance, UKGBC's Whole-Life Carbon Roadmap highlights the need for reducing carbon emissions from both operational and embodied carbon. The RICS standard provides the necessary tools to measure these emissions accurately, and supports UKGBC’s roadmap goals.

In addition, the new standard aids UKGBC's efforts to advocate for stronger regulations. With a robust and widely accepted methodology in place, UKGBC can confidently push for mandatory whole-life carbon assessments in building regulations. This would be a significant step towards achieving the UK's net zero targets by ensuring that all construction projects are held to the same high standards of sustainability.

UKGBC and RICS — driving toward a more sustainable built environment

1. Collaboration for greater consistency:
   • UKGBC and RICS have been working closely to ensure that the new standard brings about the necessary consistency in whole-life carbon assessments. This consistency is vital for setting industry-wide benchmarks and achieving net zero targets. Both bodies emphasise that a unified approach to carbon accounting can help streamline efforts across different sectors of the construction industry, making it easier to compare and improve performance.
   • The collaboration also encourages engaging with other key stakeholders, such as policymakers, local authorities, and industry leaders. By fostering these partnerships, UKGBC and RICS aim to create a more cohesive and effective framework for reducing carbon emissions in the built environment.
     
     
2. Improving transparency:
   • The new standard emphasises transparency in reporting, which is essential for stakeholders to understand and trust the results of whole-life carbon assessments. This transparency also aids in identifying areas for improvement and innovation in sustainability practices. Transparency is not just about providing detailed reports but also about making the data accessible and understandable to a broad audience, including non-experts.
   • Transparency in the RICS 2nd edition professional standard is achieved through clear guidelines on reporting requirements and the inclusion of detailed assumptions and methodologies. This approach ensures that all stakeholders can see the basis of the carbon assessments and trust their accuracy.
     
     
3. Stronger regulation advocacy:
   • UKGBC is using the updated RICS professional standard to push for stronger regulations at both national and local levels. The UKGBC aims to convince policymakers to mandate whole-life carbon assessments and set stringent carbon limits. These regulations could drive significant improvements in building performance and help the UK meet its climate goals.
   • There is potential for new policies to incentivise sustainable practices, such as tax breaks or grants for projects that exceed baseline sustainability standards. These incentives could accelerate the adoption of the RICS 2nd edition professional standard and further drive industry-wide improvements.
     
     
4. Upskilling and education:
   • The green skills gap shows a clear need for upskilling of professionals involved in LCAs. The updated standard provides a framework for educational programs and workshops, helping professionals adopt best practices and new methodologies. This is crucial for maintaining high standards and ensuring that the industry can meet its sustainability targets.
   • The UKGBC emphasises the importance of integrating LCA training into the broader curriculum for architects, engineers, and construction managers. By embedding these skills into the core education of future professionals, the industry can ensure a steady pipeline of experts who are well-versed in sustainable practices.
     
     
5. Integration with Net Zero Carbon Building Standard:
   • The UKGBC underscores the importance of integrating the new RICS standard with the upcoming UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard. This integration will streamline benchmarks and provide clear targets for reducing both operational and embodied carbon in buildings. The combined approach ensures that all aspects of a building’s life-cycle are considered, from design and construction to operation and eventual demolition or reuse.
   • The integration also helps align various industry benchmarks and standards, making it easier for stakeholders to adopt best practices. This unified approach is essential for achieving the ambitious carbon reduction targets set by UKGBC and other organisations.

The role of One Click LCA in aligning with the RICS 2nd edition professional standard

One Click LCA is helping the industry align with the new RICS 2nd edition professional standard, with critical updates to the platform. This includes functionalities for end-of-life scenarios, transportation profiles, and contingency factors. The platform's ability to generate automated reports that comply with RICS guidelines simplifies the process for professionals, ensuring that their assessments are accurate and transparent.

One Click LCA's platform enables users to easily incorporate the new guidelines into their projects. It provides pre-configured templates and automated calculations that reduce the risk of errors and save time. This is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may not have extensive in-house expertise in LCAs.

The updated RICS 2nd edition professional standard is a significant step forward for the UK's construction industry. It provides the necessary framework to achieve greater consistency, transparency, and regulatory support, all of which are crucial for meeting UKGBC's net zero goals. One Click LCA's RICS 2nd edition tool further ensures that the industry is well-equipped to meet these new standards and drive towards a sustainable future.

Find out more:

Webinar: Understanding RICS 2nd edition professional standard and what it means for the AEC industry

Guide: Understanding the changes in RICS 2nd edition