RICS launch two new guides as part of the 2nd edition of the Whole Life Carbon Assessment standard

RICS 2^nd Edition Whole Life Carbon Assessment - update

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is pleased to announce the launch of two new guides for the 'Whole Life Carbon Assessment' (WLCA), a standard launched in November 2023, which is poised to transform carbon measurement practices worldwide.

Launching to coincide with the ‘Buildings and Climate Forum’ in Paris this week, these two pivotal guides: ‘Global harmonisation framework for whole life carbon assessment' and 'Whole Life Carbon Assessments – a guide for clients’ are designed to facilitate understanding, endorsement, and adoption of the WLCA standard in markets across the world.

RICS President Tina Paillet FRICS, CEO and Co-Founder of Circotrade, said: "There is a compelling need for countries globally to adopt a harmonised approach to whole life carbon assessments; together, these documents detail how implementation of this standard can achieve this much needed consistent approach.

“I am proud to say that WLCA is positioned to become the world-leading standard for carbon measurement in the built environment and I’d like to thank the team involved in this project for their hard work and dedication to helping future proof the industry”.

The built and natural environment bears a substantial responsibility for its carbon output accounting for over 40% of global carbon emissions. RICS is fully committed to enabling change and has developed the 2^nd edition of the WLCA standard to address this challenge and provide the industry with the necessary tools to decarbonise the built environment.

WLCA has been carefully created by a team of experts for consistency and reliability, and  encourages long-term thinking through whole life cycle approach to assessments.

To address the knowledge gap among decision-makers and ministers in the industry, RICS has also developed a module-based training course and formal certification in Whole Life Carbon Assessment.

These courses aim to equip professionals with the skills and understanding needed to effectively implement WLCA, considering its importance and benefits, as well as when and how to deliver it. More information on the course can be found here: Global Introduction to Whole Life Carbon Assessment - 3 Part Series (rics.org)

For more information on the new guides, please visit: