A guide to generating compliant RICS V2 whole-life carbon assessments with One Click LCA

Why RICS V2 matters for sustainable construction

The updated RICS guidance is not just an iteration; it’s a redefinition of best practice in whole-life carbon assessments.

RICS WLC V2 brings:

• Standardized pre-construction and construction stage accounting
  
  
• Introduced top-up factors for uncertainty and data quality
  
  
• Automatic decarbonization modelling for long-term emissions
  
  
• A clearer, modular structure for module A0–D assessments
  
  
• New categories for maintenance and repair (B2/B3) and construction site operations
  
  

“We are the first software to be officially validated under RICS whole-life carbon assessment programme, which means our platform supports the full checklist of requirements for RICS V2 compliance.”

- Steven Zijlstra, Product Marketing Manager at One Click LCA

For those working in the built environment — from early concept design to end-of-life planning — understanding and applying this standard ensures credible emissions tracking and regulatory alignment.

Key developments in One Click LCA’s RICS V2-compliant tool

1. Validated RICS V2 compliance 

One Click LCA’s RICS V2 tool’s validation from RICS means that all inputs, scenarios, and outputs adhere to the most up-to-date standards.

“RICS provided us with a comprehensive checklist of all the items that our tool has to be compliant with. It's great to be officially recognized for those efforts.”

2. Pre-construction and construction site operations enhancements

Pre-construction (A0 and A5.1) is now explicitly accounted for in the tool, including energy, fuel, and electricity consumption. New transport profiles and demolition scenarios are also available.

These inputs offer users a granular approach to modeling activities that were previously rolled into generic phases, significantly increasing transparency.

3. Support for top-up factors based on data uncertainty

Top-up factors are a new requirement in RICS V2. These adjust results to reflect:

• Geographical representativeness
  
  
• Data quality
  
  
• Project phase (e.g., early design, technical design)
  
  

Top-up inputs are partially automated, with some factors pre-filled when using UK-based resources, and others (like quality index) entered manually by the LCA practitioner.

“Geographical representativeness is automatically filled in if your project and resources are both based in the UK, but the quality index is something only the LCA user can really specify.”

4. Automatic decarbonization modeling

One of the most powerful upgrades in the RICS V2 tool is automatic decarbonization forecasting.

Users previously had to manually input energy grid improvements over the life-cycle. Now, the tool simulates decarbonization automatically based on guidance from RICS, directly affecting emissions from replacement (B4), operational energy (B6), and end-of-life (C1–C4) modules.

“This system changed with RICS Version 2. Now it’s automatically calculated in the software. Anything that happens in the future is affected by decarbonization.”

5. Flexible, robust data entry methods

Users can enter data:

• Manually via the platform
  
  
• Through structured Excel import
  
  
• Direct IFC model upload
  
  
• Or via BIM plugins like Autodesk Revit, IES-VE, and Tekla
  
  

“Excel import is one of our basic import methods. If you upload any bill of quantities, the format does not matter.”

RICS V2 reporting features: what’s new?

1. Custom reporting templates

The new report structure mirrors the official RICS reporting format more closely than ever before, ensuring straightforward submission for regulatory or client needs.

Users can generate:

• RICS V2 results reports
  
  
• RICS-specific reporting templates
  
  
• Single and multi-asset assessments
  
  

“Now the reporting structures are even more tailored — so they look exactly like the reporting templates.”

2. Multi-asset reporting in seconds

For large-scale developments, users can generate comparison reports across up to four sub-assets. This is essential for mixed-use or phased construction projects.

“All the information related to each sub-asset is automatically populated. That should save a substantial amount of time.”

What hasn’t changed?

Despite major upgrades, core workflows remain familiar to experienced One Click LCA users:

• Data structure for materials, energy, water, and transport remains consistent
  
  
• Scenario building and modularity are preserved but improved
  
  
• Existing GLA tools remain available for London-based reporting
  
  

Functional benefits for users

Here’s what users gain by implementing the RICS V2 tool via One Click LCA:

• ✅ Reduced risk of non-compliance through validated outputs
  
  
• ✅ Time-saving automation for decarbonization and top-up factors
  
  
• ✅ Enhanced transparency with traceable data quality metrics
  
  
• ✅ Scalable project support with multi-asset and infrastructure-ready workflows
  
  
• ✅ Seamless integration with existing design and BIM workflows
  
  
• ✅ Future-proofing through alignment with the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard
  
  

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between RICS V1 and V2?
RICS V2 introduces top-up factors, pre-construction modules, automatic decarbonization, and expanded maintenance scenarios. It provides a clearer, modular framework and aligns more closely with EN 15978 and UK Net Zero guidance.

Can I upload all my data via Excel?
Yes. One Click LCA supports structured Excel import for materials, energy, water, and construction site data. You can upload BOQs or BOMs directly. However, some factors like data quality require manual input.

Is the decarbonization factor mandatory?
Yes. In RICS V2, it’s automatically calculated within the One Click LCA tool. You don’t need to apply this manually.

What is the top-up factor, and why does early design have a 15% increase?
Top-up factors account for uncertainty in early-stage data. Early design stages use more generic data, so a 15% buffer is added per RICS guidance. This decreases as the project progresses.

Can I report per building element in RICS V2?
Not directly in the main output, but if the user exports to Excel, emissions per building element are available. A revised format matching RICS V1 is under development.

How are transportation distances calculated, especially for overseas materials?
Distances are selected manually based on the material type and where it is produced (RICS has default settings for materials produced locally, domestically, in the EU and International) but need to be adjusted manually if they need to be more specific, or filtered by location. Automatic transportation distance calculation will be introduced in an upcoming release.

Is there a specific tool for GLA assessments?
Yes. One Click LCA provides a separate, dedicated GLA tool to export data into the GLA spreadsheet format. The RICS V2 tool does not automatically generate a GLA-compliant report.

Does infrastructure assessment work the same way?
Largely yes. The RICS V2 tool for infrastructure will be launched later in 2025 and mirrors the building tool, with infrastructure-specific inputs for earthworks, paving, and long-term energy use.

Conclusion

The updated RICS whole-life carbon assessment V2 professional standard sets a new benchmark for climate accountability in construction. One Click LCA’s validated RICS V2 tool brings this guidance to life through automated calculations, scenario modeling, and streamlined reporting — enabling faster, more accurate, and compliant carbon assessments across every project stage.

If you work in design, engineering, or contracting, now is the time to integrate RICS V2 into your workflows.