Whole Life Carbon Assessment: Delivering the Future of Carbon Assessment in the Built Environment

With over 30 years of expertise in quantifying, measuring and valuing construction work, Alan Northen FRICS MCIArb shares his rewarding experience delivering the Global Certificate in Whole Life Carbon Assessment training programme.

Reflections on delivering the RICS Global Certificate in Whole Life Carbon Assessment training programme

As the built environment responds to the climate challenge, the need to measure and manage carbon across the full lifecycle of assets has never been more critical.

The sector accounts for around 39%* of global carbon emissions, driven by both operational carbon from buildings in use and embodied carbon from construction materials and processes. With as much as 32%* of Global waste into landfill from construction.

Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) is therefore an essential tool for informing better design, construction, and investment decisions, investing in professional development is vital to the future of the built environment.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the quantification, measurement, and valuation of construction work, as Lead Author of the RICS New Rules of Measurement (NRM2), 2nd Edition and a contributor to the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment Standard (2nd Edition), I am delighted to be lead author and deliver the RICS Global Certificate in Whole Life Carbon Assessment (2026 Edition) training programme.

“Delivering the course is incredibly rewarding. It’s a privilege to work with professionals from across the built environment who want to expand their understanding of whole life carbon and contribute to more sustainable, low-carbon projects.”

Why RICS WLCA training matters

RICS training plays a critical role in advancing professional knowledge and capability, helping to ensure the industry can transition to a low-carbon built environment. Achieving truly sustainable outcomes requires more than intent; it demands credible, measurable, evidence-based action.

The Global Certificate in Whole Life Carbon Assessment training is built around the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment Standard, 2nd Edition, combining a rigorous, standardised methodology with practical, real-world examples to help participants apply their learning effectively.

The course is distinctive in that learners are not just developing technical skills; they are building expertise aligned with an internationally recognised professional framework, enabling them to undertake robust, credible, whole-life carbon assessments and contribute meaningfully to decarbonising the built environment.

Course approach: practical, relevant, globally aligned

Designed for a wide range of built environment professionals including surveyors, engineers, project managers, cost managers, and sustainability specialists the training supports collaborative carbon management across project teams.

It equips participants with the knowledge, methods, and consistency required to produce robust WLCA reports, meeting evolving regulatory requirements, climate policies, planning regulations, aligning with carbon accounting principles and investor ESG expectations.

The programme also aligns with international standards such as ISO, EN, and ICMS 3rd edition, and leverages the Built Environment Carbon Database (BECD) developed by BICS supported by RICS in partnership with other organisations, improving access to high-quality carbon data and advancing sustainability practice globally.

My approach as a trainer

“My focus is on making the learning practical, relevant, and grounded in real industry experience, sharing real-world insights, encouraging open discussion and peer learning, and challenging participants to think about how WLCA can influence better project decisions.

Feedback on case study exercises helps consolidate learning and build confidence in applying the standard. Each module includes collaborative sessions where theory is brought to life through practical examples and shared experiences.”

What participants gain

Participants leave the programme with the skills and confidence to deliver credible, consistent WLCA reports, supporting better decision-making and measurable decarbonisation across projects. Importantly, they also join a global professional community committed to raising standards and embedding sustainability across the built environment.

The bigger picture

The RICS WLCA Standard is increasingly being adopted by leading organisations and industry bodies in the UK and globally, reflecting its value in driving consistent, credible carbon measurement and reporting.

As sustainability expectations continue to grow, shaped by climate policy, planning regulations, and investor ESG priorities, being able to undertake robust whole-life carbon assessments is now an essential professional skill. This training course provides participants with the knowledge and acuity to question and validate WLCA’s, including AI generated data.

Training from RICS aligned with its WLCA standard ensures assessments are carried out using recognised methodologies, supporting transparency, accountability, and better project outcomes. As the course covers all modules, including optional ones, in equal depth, the course is providing the industry with the most robustly trained and qualified professionals in WLCA.

_{*statistics from the world green building council}

Sources:

• As much as 32% of Global waste to landfill comes from construction, according to the world green building council
• Buildings currently account for 32% of global energy use and contribute 34% of global CO2 emissions