Arup has announced its commitment to undertaking full lifecycle carbon assessments for all its building projects – new and retrofit – from next year.
Adopting whole lifecycle carbon assessment is the crucial next step that will allow the global buildings sector to progress toward 50% carbon emissions reduction by 2030, said the firm.
The Arup has also announced it will withdraw from all future energy schemes involving fossil fuels.
From April 2022, the engineering consultancy will only accept commissions in low-carbon energy projects such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, and hydrogen.
Arup will commission the assessments to quantify the carbon emissions generated from its buildings over the their lifespans.
Crucially, the assessments will include both operational and embodied carbon. The latter contributes up to 50% of a buildings emissions but is routinely overlooked in carbon calculations.
The firm is also committed to developing a methodology to extend whole lifecycle carbon assessments to its infrastructure work for clients, without delay.
Alan Belfield, chairman at Arup, said: “Whole lifecycle carbon assessment is the next step that must be taken to unlock decarbonisation of the built environment at scale.
“Our commitment to undertaking whole lifecycle carbon assessment for all of our buildings work means that for the first time we will have the data to share with our clients and with industry partners about the precise actions to be taken to decarbonise buildings – new or existing – most effectively.”
Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council, added: “Delivering net zero buildings requires transformative action by industry leaders.
“Arup’s decision to incorporate whole lifecycle carbon assessment for all of its buildings commissions, and on a global basis, is game-changing and it will help to accelerate the buildings sector’s progress toward net zero.
“Arup’s decision is precisely the type of advocacy we encourage signatories of WorldGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment to take. The Commitment now incorporates requirements to address embodied carbon as a part of a whole lifecycle carbon approach.”
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