Methods to include circularity in life cycle assessments of buildings

The project develops and tests methods to include circularity in life cycle assessments (LCA) of buildings. In collaboration with stakeholders across the construction sector, the project aims to improve how the climate impact of circular solutions is measured and compared, in line with increasing EU requirements for life cycle-based assessments.

The construction sector faces growing demands to reduce its climate impact. At the same time, circular solutions such as reuse, flexibility and longer life span are becoming increasingly important. Today, these aspects are not fully captured in life cycle assessments (LCA), making it difficult to compare options and make informed decisions.

The project develops and tests methods to integrate circularity into LCA in a more accurate and consistent way. This includes identifying relevant indicators and approaches, developing principles, and applying them in case studies across different types of building projects.

The aim is to provide a stronger basis for including circularity in climate assessments. This can support more informed decision-making in the construction process and help stakeholders choose solutions with lower climate impact. The project is aligned with upcoming requirements, where the need for robust methods to address circularity is increasing.

The project is carried out in collaboration between research organisations, construction companies, property owners and architects. IVL is responsible for project management and method development.