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LCA for evaluation of construction works
Published on 04 March 2021
Finland
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
City of Helsinki implements the carbon footprint roadmap for Finnish construction industry as an approach to become carbon neutral city by 2035 (Carbon neutral Helsinki 2035 Action Plan). Sustainability issues are proactively implemented here. LCA and LCC exercise (time 100 years) were conducted to obtain high quality and comparability from data of similarly designed, sized, and with similar energy efficiency criteria but with different materials. LCA started from design, and data is continuously collected. Demolition phase was also evaluated.
The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA) assigned Bionova Ltd for calculations. Target housing projects were at the same location (address Taidemaalarinkatu 4 & 6), thus enabling accurate calculations and comparisons. Information models, construction plans & material indexes were used. Level(s) reporting framework method was used for calculations according to EN 15978 (Report: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-361-032-3). App “One Click LCA” (Finnish produce) was used as a calculation tool using emission profiles prior calculated for Finnish construction materials and Helsinki Energy Ltd. Potential re-use of demolition materials was evaluated.
Construction companies, municipalities are the main stakeholders.
The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA) assigned Bionova Ltd for calculations. Target housing projects were at the same location (address Taidemaalarinkatu 4 & 6), thus enabling accurate calculations and comparisons. Information models, construction plans & material indexes were used. Level(s) reporting framework method was used for calculations according to EN 15978 (Report: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-361-032-3). App “One Click LCA” (Finnish produce) was used as a calculation tool using emission profiles prior calculated for Finnish construction materials and Helsinki Energy Ltd. Potential re-use of demolition materials was evaluated.
Construction companies, municipalities are the main stakeholders.
Resources needed
Bionova Ltd made calculations. Two persons involved, approximately 4 months work.
Evidence of success
The set-up enabled reliable comparison from LCA perspective. Several comparisons were made. Wood-based building showed 20 % less emissions, when materials were assessed. When total emissions for 100 y. were compared, wood-based building produced 6% lower emissions, due to lower energy efficiency of the building. Energy use is the main contributor of emissions in constructions.
Potential for learning or transfer
LC calculation tool development is essential to evaluate GHG emissions. The practice guides constructions for sustainability. Setting targets in construction projects is necessary. This practice was designed for social housing sustainability development and used guiding document “Using building information models (BIM) in for social housing sustainability development”. The practice showed that emissions can be cut in construction works. It can be utilized easily for all kinds of construction projects, where GHG emissions calculations and reductions are targeted.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
City of Helsinki, The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA), a governmental agency of the Republic of Finland
Finland
Helsinki-Uusimaa
Contact
circular economy specialist