Summary
Details
- Global
The RICS standards apply to organisations commissioning Whole Life Carbon Assessments (WLCAs), e.g. developers, asset owners, investors, as well as professionals producing WLCAs for buildings or infrastructure/civil works.
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Background
RICS first published the Whole Life Carbon Assessment standard in 2017 to provide a clear, consistent methodology for whole life carbon assessments, rooted in internationally recognised life-cycle frameworks such as EN 15978. This addressed inconsistent carbon reporting practices, especially around embodied emissions, which were undermining comparability and confidence in assessments. The 2nd edition (September 2023) significantly expands the scope to include infrastructure assets, broader project types, and a globally harmonised approach. It was developed with input from decarbonisation experts and industry stakeholders, consolidating carbon assessment methods into a single, comprehensive professional standard. The updated standard also aligns with other frameworks such as the International Cost Management Standard (ICMS 3) and emerging national carbon reporting tools, facilitating better integration of carbon and cost metrics.
Reporting Implications
The main reporting implications of the WLCA standards include the following:
Comprehensive life-cycle reporting across all required modules (A–C) and separate reporting of Module D, ensuring complete visibility of carbon impacts over the asset’s life.
Use of RICS reporting templates (Summary and sector-specific templates for buildings/infrastructure) to structure and standardise outputs.
Disclosure of methodology, assumptions, data sources and quality, including scenarios, boundaries and any deviations from the standard, to enable transparency and verification.
Progressive detail by project phase, from early design through technical design to post-completion, reflecting increased data precision and evolving life-cycle insights.
Current status and outlook
The RICS WLCA standard (2nd edition) is in full effect from 1 July 2024 for RICS members completing whole life carbon assessments. It is designed for global application and is intended to harmonise carbon measurement practices while remaining compatible with evolving local requirements and policy frameworks that incorporate whole life carbon metrics.
Resources
RICS Professional Standard (2nd edition): Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment
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