The Building

System Carbon
Framework
A common language for the building
and construction value chain
Contents

The objective of the paper | 3

The building and construction system | 3

A shared vision | 3

Defining the system | 4

The value chain | 5

The Building System Carbon Framework | 7

The structure | 8

Application in the system | 11

The Building System Carbon Framework 2

The objective of this paper
This paper proposes a occupying, renovating and life-cycle approach. It is
new framework which demolishing buildings. It neutral on materials and
can be used as a common helps to align actions across solutions.
language for carbon the value chain in order
emissions, by all actors of to deliver a net-zero built This approach bridges
the built environment. environment. embodied and operational
carbon, which is a vital
The Building System The framework enables prerequisite for the
Carbon Framework is each user to identify the decarbonization of the built
targeted at companies best emissions-reduction environment.
involved in manufacturing, strategies for their part of
designing, constructing, the value chain, using a
investing, owning, operating, common metric and a full

The building and

construction system

A shared vision
To meet the Paris Agreement buildings to operate at net-zero
objectives and limit global by 2050. Embodied carbon in
warming to 1.5°C or less, it is building materials and equipment
essential to decarbonize our needs to be reduced by at least
economy completely by 2050. 40% from today’s levels by 2030
and to net-zero by 2050.2 This can
For the built environment, be achieved by developing and
this means reaching net implementing specific roadmaps
zero emissions across all for the entire building and
activities in the building and construction system.
construction system. However,
the built environment is currently In order to achieve the goal,
responsible for almost 40% of alignment and collaboration
the global energy and process- between all companies of the
related CO₂ emissions,1 and so building and construction system
the challenge is significant. is crucial as no-one can do it
alone.
The goal is for all new buildings
to operate at net-zero emissions
by 2030 at the latest, and for all

The Building System Carbon Framework 3

Defining the system
The building and construction
system is a diverse, fragmented
yet interconnected value chain
made up of different segments
such as manufacturing,
construction, real estate, users,
and financing all coming together
to achieve the primary purpose of
delivering buildings.

In this document, we refer to

building and construction as a
system, including and connecting
all the actors and sectors. This
system consists of different
subgroups where companies
are categorized according to the
different levels: Company, Sector,
Segment, System (Figure 1).

Figure 1: the categories of the building and construction system

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM

SEGMENTS
MANUFACTURING CONSTRUCTION REAL ESTATE USERS FINANCING

SECTORS

COMPANIES

Companies are the individual same segment have relatively asset owners, facility
entities providing services to similar functions and objectives. managers and brokers.
buildings based on their specific • Users are the occupiers of
line of business. • Manufacturing provides the
elements of the buildings. It the buildings. It includes final
Sectors represent the traditional includes building materials, users of buildings (i.e., hotel,
way of grouping companies construction elements and retail).
from the same business sector. equipment. • Finance mobilizes financial
For example material sectors capital for the buildings. It
• Construction is responsible
(i.e., concrete, steel, glass) or includes investors, financial
for creating the buildings.
professional categories (i.e., institutions and insurance
It includes architecture,
engineers, architects, investors, companies.
engineering and construction
property developers).
companies. System represents the highest
Segments group different sectors • Real Estate has a level, which accounts for all the
of the value chain together, transactional or ownership stakeholders, companies, sectors
based on their specific role and relationship to the buildings. It and segments that play a role in
characteristic. Sectors within the includes property developers, building and construction.

The Building System Carbon Framework 4

The value chain
Because of the interdependencies The model shown in Figure In this model, stakeholders are part
within the system, there is not 2 represents our view of the of two connected and converging
a unique way to represent the structure and connections flows: the building value chain
building and construction system in between the different private and the influencer value chain.
its entirety. sector actors of the system.

Figure 2: The value chains of the building and construction system

Inve FI
sto N
rs A
REAL ESTATE

NC
E
perty develope
E

Pro
NC

rs
IE

Fin tution
SC

ins
O w n e rs

anc
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ial
rs
gin s

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ee
and en ect
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ERS
it

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Arch
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THE
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BUILDING
SYSTEM
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nu

tio

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fa

uc

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D ec
NS
TIO
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MAN
EG

UFACTURING R

Building value chain

Influencer value chain

Carbon: flow & hotspots

Segments of the system

The Building System Carbon Framework 5

The building value chain It should be noted that Scope Their direct carbon emissions are
includes private sector actors 1 and 2 of a company, for the generally limited, in comparison
required to physically construct GHG protocol, are reported as to the overall system emissions,
and operate a building asset. indirect upstream or downstream and not necessarily due to
Companies in this value chain value chain emissions (Scope 3) their business but possibly for
are directly responsible for some of another company. Therefore the their role of “occupants” of
part of the life cycle of carbon the emissions of other parts buildings.
emissions in buildings. There of the building are part of the
are two “hotspots” being the responsibility and reporting of Nevertheless, the influencer
manufacturing of materials & another company. value chain plays a crucial role in
equipment (embodied carbon) the very early stages of buildings,
and the energy consumption by To reduce these indirect and their decisions have a
occupants during the use phase emissions, it is essential for significant impact on the future
(operational carbon). companies within this value emissions of buildings.
chain to engage and collaborate.
Carbon emissions released That way, they can collectively The low levels of carbon
by companies in this value mitigate the carbon emissions emissions reported throughout
chain are usually accounted of the whole building system and this value chain might result
for as part of building-related individually achieve their own in an underestimation of the
carbon emissions. Based on carbon reduction targets. importance and power of the
the Greenhouse Gas Protocol companies to drive system
(GHG Protocol)3 these emissions The influencer value chain decarbonization.
are reported under the direct includes the actors who are
company emissions (Scope 1) or responsible for influencing if and
indirect emissions (Scope 2) from how buildings are constructed,
the process of generating the but who do not have an active
electricity consumed. role in building the asset.

The Building System Carbon Framework 6

The Building System
Carbon Framework
The Building System Carbon Framework (Figure 3) is a conceptual assessment tool
developed by WBCSD to provide a simple template and a common language to
represent carbon emissions in the building and construction system.
The objective is to encourage stakeholders to have a transparent understanding of
where and when carbon emissions are generated. It also encourages all actors to
focus on the overall life-cycle emissions of buildings, which is the best indicator of the
gap remaining for reaching net-zero emissions at building level and therefore the long
term net-zero built environment by 2050 at the latest.

Figure 3: The Building System Carbon Framework

BUILDING STAGES
PRODUCT CONSTRUCTION USE END OF LIFE EMISSIONS BEYOND LIFE

A1-A3 A4-A5 B1-B5 B6-B7 C kgCO2/m2 D

Structure
Foundation, load-bearing
BUILDING LAYERS

Skin
Windows, roof, insulations

Space Plan
Interior finishes

Services
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing

Stuff (optional)
Furniture & appliances

Building carbon emissions

Carbon compensation
Removals and offset

Embodied carbon Operational carbon Partial and total sums

This framework unpacks the declaration (EPD) standards across both the embodied and
building and construction system EN158045 modules. It is inspired operational carbon emissions.
according to the different life- by the concept of “Whole Life
cycle stages of buildings and the Carbon Assessment”6 and the The framework relies on specific
building’s layers or components. initial framework presented by data such as EPD, building life-
It uses a transparent and WBCSD.7 cycle assessments and modeling
straightforward format to present tools which increase the details
the information. The Building System Carbon and accuracy of the information.
Framework is designed to be
The framework is based on the a user-friendly reporting tool The framework provides a clear
building life-cycle standards that provides a clear overview overview that combines and
defined by the building standards of the carbon emissions in the summarizes data from various
EN15978:20114 and supported building and construction system sources.
by the environmental product

The Building System Carbon Framework 7

 By simplifying the reporting and across the whole life-cycle an overall net-zero carbon
structure, it enables reflections of buildings, enables allignment building.
and opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among all
between stakeholders and companies when referring to the The framework could be applied
allows them to identify the best carbon emissions across the in different dimensions – for
emissions-reduction strategies system. example, at the geographic
for all parts of the value chain. level (from individual buildings,
The unit kgCO2-eq/m2 is applicable to neighborhoods, cities or
It is deliberately not prescriptive by all the companies across the countries) when looking at
in its form and structure, so life-cycle of buildings, elevating it for one or more buildings;
that it can be adapted to local and merging the discussion as well as at business level
characteristics, needs and between embodied and (companies, sectors and system)
definitions. operational carbon emissions. It when looking at the roles and
allows attention to be focused on responsibilities of different
The common language of carbon the main objective of achieving industries in the life-cycle of
intensity over the total floor area buildings.

The structure
The building stages set out B. use phase of buildings, indicated in the modules B6 and
horizontally refer to the life-cycle separating the renovation of B7, all the other modules refer
of buildings and meet the building buildings (B1-5) from energy to embodied carbon emissions
standard of EN15978:2011 (Figure (B6) and water (B7) operation of of buildings, either during the
4). The standards categorize the buildings; construction phase, the use phase
life-cycle of buildings according to C. end of life of buildings, the (renovation) or end-of-life phase
its main phases: demolition of buildings (C); (demolition).
D. the benefits and loads beyond
A. building materials (A1-A3) and the building life-cycle (D). Note that module D is considered
construction of buildings (A4-5); Remarkably, with the exception of to be outside the individual building
the operational carbon emissions boundaries.

Figure 4: EN15978:2011 buildings standards refering to the different building stages of the life-cycle of
buildings

PRODUCT CONSTRUCTION USE STAGE END OF LIFE BEYOND

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 C1 C2 C3 C4 D
l

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ce

air

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The Building System Carbon Framework 8

For a detailed description of phase (A). Additionally, Operational emissions: it is
what is included in each module, they generally need to be important to note the example
we refer to the RICS Whole Life upgraded or replaced during of how the structure and, in
Carbon Assessment report. the lifetime of buildings, particular, the skin of buildings,
generating additional play a crucial role in the type
The building layers set out emissions during the use and the operation of the
vertically categorize buildings phase (B). At the same time, services in the buildings, which
according to their main structure they influence the equipment in turn influence the final energy
(based on the sharing layers and services installed in consumption during the use
concept).8 buildings (service layer). phase of buildings.
The purpose is to divide the • Services (and stuff) have In the box of energy consumption
buildings into the relevant emissions during product in the operation of buildings
building layers, as each layer phase (A), similar to upgrades (B6) for the service layers, in
generally serves a different or replacements during the addition to the carbon emissions,
purpose, has a different lifetime use phase (B). Importantly, it is recommended to share
and life-cycle. these are the components information on the annual energy
directly responsible for energy consumption. This is to retain
• The structure has most, if
consumption during the use information about the overall
not all, its impact during the
phase (B6). expected energy consumption
product and construction
across the life of the building
phase (A). Although separated in different and demonstrate the success of
lines or columns, all layers and energy efficiency measures.
• Both the skin and space plan
stages have a strong link to each
have an impact during the
other.
product and construction

Figure 5: Building model consisting of the building related layers based on the sharing layers9

The Building System Carbon Framework 9

Carbon compensation: consideration and accounting buildings (residential, commercial,
the framework provides a of this information in overall office), the geographic location
separate line for reporting system decarbonization is still (climate and seismic regulations)
carbon compensations. This evolving, so it can vary based and the carbon emission factor
is to transparently report and on different initiatives promoting of the electricity grid. These
inform on the use of any carbon decarbonization or the circular can influence the final value.
removal or offset as a measure economy. The framework can be used as
to compensate for the carbon a carbon lens through which we
emissions. Various initiatives Timeframe: there are several can look at buildings in general.
promoting decarbonization may important time-bound aspects Carbon emissions are part
have a different measures for that have to be considered of the many decision-making
understanding which carbon when providing input into the factors which are taken into
compensation measures framework as they can have an consideration when buildings are
should be considered as impact on the final emission developed.
part of the goal to achieve count. These include the
net-zero. This separation assumed lifetime of buildings, There are also other factors
enables users to distinguish the replacement rate of non- which companies eventually
between direct mitigation structural elements and the consider when developing
opportunities, which are the expected decarbonization of the buildings. These include:
priority for decarbonization, and electricity grid. We advise using
local guidance or best practices. • environmental aspects
compensation measures that (such as material and water
provide an additional opportunity For example, the RICS guidance
for the UK indicates the lifetime efficiency, biodiversity, waste);
to reduce global emissions.
of each building layer and the • social aspects (job creation,
Beyond building life-cycle: the overall buildings to 60 years. local content, inclusivity,
framework provides a separate productivity, health and
column (module D) for reporting Benchmarking: if the purpose
safety);
the possible benefits and loads of using the framework is to
beyond the building life-cycle. compare the carbon emissions • economic priorities (costs,
In a similar way to the carbon between various buildings, local economic development);
compensation above, its use additional factors that can and
and application in a life-cycle influence results need to be • strategic decisions
approach have not reached full considered. Some examples of (dependence on other
consensus. For this reason, the these are the typology and use of countries).

The Building System Carbon Framework 10

Application in the system
The framework allows stakeholders in the building and construction system to make
informed decisions based on clear and transparent information.
There are many opportunities for practical application of this framework at geographic-level
(building, neighborhood, cities, or countries) as well as business-level (companies, sectors,
system).
Below is a list of potential application areas for the framework, some of which will be explored
further in order to accelerate the decarbonization of the built environment:

• Common language across whole system to achieve a net- transformation within the
the system provided by the zero built environment. various sectors via a material-
kgCO2-eq/m2 metric ensures and technology-neutral
all stakeholders of the value • Implementation (or action) approach and without being
chain can reference the from the private sector can prescriptive.
impact and benefit of their target the main hotspots,
product or service towards taking into consideration • Public procurement project
overall carbon emissions. the contribution to system owners can use the unified
decarbonization. The carbon metric to evaluate
• Scenarios, pathways, and framework will also allow project proposals. In public
relevant carbon budgets can for collaboration across tenders, they can incentivize
be established by referring to the value chain, where low carbon life-cycle
the common language and common solutions can be performance, for example
the framework. It also offers developed and implemented by making references to or
the opportunity to align efforts to help achieve system applying a shadow cost on life-
by companies, initiatives and decarbonization. cycle carbon emissions.
organizations that are focused
on achieving the vision • Investments from the • Renovation decisions can
for a net-zero carbon built financial sector benefit from be informed by comparing
environment by 2050. simple, meaningful and reliable the options of different
indicators. The framework interventions with the current
• Business can visualize their enables investors to prompt status and new construction.
company, product or service simple but more specific life-
direct emissions (Scope 1 and cycle carbon questions on • Circular economy benefits
2) and how and where they are buildings’ carbon emissions for decarbonization can be
connected with indirect value and assess the climate quantified by assessing the
chain emissions (Scope 3). It performance of their assets, implication of circular products
permits users to understand and therefore make better and business models over
how these are part of overall informed decisions. At the the life-cycle of buildings. The
system emissions and same time, investors can opportunity is to enhance the
therefore understand where also assess investments in understanding and application
and how they can contribute innovative technologies based of module D of the framework.
to reducing the system on the benefits these can • Additional factors beyond
emissions and collaborate to bring to the vision of a net-zero carbon are also important for
achieve a net-zero system built environment. making informed decisions.
• Commitments from • Regulations, building codes For this reason, it could be
business can be referenced and standards at the local interesting to test the life-
to the framework to highlight and national levels can be cycle thinking principle and
companies’ expected framed and aligned to achieve approach at the base of this
mitigation efforts, as well as life-cycle net zero-carbon framework with other factors,
the contribution toward the emissions; while at the same in particular water, biodiversity,
time enabling innovation and jobs and costs.

The Building System Carbon Framework 11

References
1
Global Alliance for Buildings and 5
European Standards (2019). Sustainability 8
S. Brand (1994). Shearing layers is a
Construction, International Energy of construction works. Environmental concept coined by architect Frank Duffy,
Agency and the United Nations product declarations. Core rules for which was later elaborated by Stewart
Environment Programme (2019). the product category of construction Brand in his book, “How Buildings Learn:
2019 global status report for buildings products: https://www.en-standard. What Happens After They’re Built”.
and construction: Towards a zero- eu/bs-en-15804-2012-a2-2019-
emission,efficient and resilient buildings sustainability-of-construction-works- 9
WBCSD (2018). Scaling the Circular Built
and construction sector. environmental-product-declarations- Environment: pathways for business and
core-rules-for-the-product-category-of- government.
2
WorldGBC (2019). Bringing Embodied construction-products/
Carbon Upfront.
6
RICS (2017). Whole life carbon
3
WBCSD and World Resource Institute. assessment for the built environment.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol (2004). A
Corporate Accounting and Reporting 7
WBCSD (2018). A framework for carbon
Standard. emissions management along the building
and construction value chain.
4
European Standards (2012).
Sustainability of construction works
- Assessment of environmental
performance of buildings - Calculation
method.

The Building System Carbon Framework 12

ABOUT THE ABOUT WBCSD DISCLAIMER
TRANSFORMING THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT WBCSD is a global, CEO-led This document is released
PROJECT organization of over 200 leading in the name of WBCSD. Like
businesses working together other reports, it is the result of
WBCSD brings together to accelerate the transition to collaborative efforts by WBCSD
leading companies in the a sustainable world. We help staff, experts and executives
built environment to help make our member companies from member companies. Drafts
them collaborate and develop more successful and sustainable were reviewed by members of
pathways towards a fully by focusing on the maximum the decarbonization workstream
decarbonized and circular built positive impact for shareholders, of the Transforming the Built
environment. It helps companies the environment and societies. Environment project, Acciona,
address the transition through Arcadis, ArcelorMittal, Arup, CRH,
Our member companies come Guidehouse, LafargeHolcim,
a common vision and common
from all business sectors and all Mahindra Lifespaces, Majid al
language, helping them develop
major economies, representing a Futtaim, New World Development,
and share knowledge, guidance
combined revenue of more than Saint-Gobain, Skanska, ensuring
and tools. The project also helps
USD $8.5 trillion and 19 million that the document broadly
strengthening the business
employees. Our global network represents the majority view
case for action by engaging
of almost 70 national business of WBCSD members. It does
the demand side and through
councils gives our members not mean, however, that every
advocacy with cities and national
unparalleled reach across the member company or WBCSD
governments to advance
globe. Since 1995, WBCSD has agrees with every word.
the enabling environment for
been uniquely positioned to
sustainable solutions.
work with member companies
along and across value chains
Copyright
to deliver impactful business
CONTACT Copyright © WBCSD,
solutions to the most challenging
sustainability issues. July 2020.
To contact WBCSD about this
report: Together, we are the leading
voice of business for
Luca De Giovanetti sustainability: united by our
Manager, Science-based vision of a world where more
Targets [email protected] than 9 billion people are all living
well and within the boundaries of
our planet, by 2050.
We thank We Mean Business for Follow us on
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The Building System

The Building CarbonCarbon
System Framework
Framework
13 13
World Business Council
for Sustainable Development
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