This guidance mandates a whole life approach to reducing carbon emissions within the built environment. It sets out specific mandatory principles and supporting guidance for the interpretation and implementation of EN 15978 methodology.

Specific objectives of this professional statement include providing a consistent whole life carbon assessment implementation plan and reporting structure for built projects, and promoting the reliability of whole life carbon assessments by acting as a solid reference for the industry.

It is intended primarily for a UK audience. However, while the numeric assumptions are based on UK locations and standard practices, geographic adjustments are highlighted to enable the requirements and guidance to be applied in other countries.