Research, Downloads
•Timber LCA white paper
Do life cycle assessments constrain the benefits of biogenic materials?
This article argues that while the current life cycle assessment method enables a straightforward framework for calculating carbon in a project, it does not consider all the benefits of using biogenic materials such as timber.
As life cycle assessments are often used to compare materials during early-stage design, the industry could be missing an opportunity to meaningfully reduce carbon in construction projects.
This article describes potential issues with the current method and suggests an alternative. It is the result of extensive research and numerous discussions amongst colleagues, as well as valuable input from external experts across the industry.
We don’t claim to have all the answers, but this piece is the summary of our understanding and interpretation to date. If you have any thoughts or comments, please feel free to get in touch.
Cover image: Timber cascade. Image from Tomorrow’s Timber
Figure 1: Flow of timber waste from construction and demolition in the UK
Figure 2: Life cycle stages and modules. Image from LETI Embodied Carbon one-pager
Figure 3: Carbon stocks in a Scots pine forest stand over a rotation period. Image edited from a Forestry Commission research report. Units are tC ha-1 yr-1 (and tCO2 ha-1 yr-1 in brackets)
