Life cycle assessment
Upfront carbon stops at practical completion. Replacement cycles, maintenance and operating energy come after, and they can change which design option performs best. We model the full life cycle to EN 15978, report Module D separately, and compare your options on the same basis so the choice holds over the building's life.
Send us your drawings or cost plan.
[Why it matters]
An Upfront Carbon Report counts emissions up to practical completion (modules A1–A5). That misses everything after handover.
A whole-of-life LCA covers the full life cycle and reports more than carbon. It's the right tool when you're comparing options with different lifespans, or when Green Star or an investor asks for full disclosure.
Façade and services replacement.
Refurbishment cycles.
Operational energy and water.
Demolition, and what can be recovered at end of life.
[What is a life cycle assessment?]
Upfront carbon is modules A1–A5 and carbon only. An LCA covers modules A–D and multiple environmental indicators.
Module D is reported separately, as EN 15978 requires, so benefits beyond the system boundary don't hide impacts within it.
Product-specific EPDs improve accuracy where they exist. Otherwise, industry-average data is used and documented.
Life cycle modules A1–A5 (product and construction). Indicator: carbon (GWP). Typical question: how much carbon is locked in at completion, and how do we cut it? Green Star v1.1: Upfront Carbon Reduction.
Life cycle modules A–D (product, construction, use, end of life, plus benefits beyond the system boundary). Indicators: multiple EN 15804+A2 impact indicators. Typical question: which option performs best over the building's life? Green Star v1.1: Impacts Disclosure (the same LCA can also support Upfront Carbon Reduction).
[What you receive]
Functional unit, service life, boundaries and modules.
From drawings or the QS cost plan.
With Australian EPDs where available.
Maintenance and replacement schedules, operational energy from our energy model, and water where in scope.
Benefits reported separately.
Structure, façade and services alternatives.
And the Green Star submission template where relevant.
Drawings, specifications or the QS cost plan, and any existing upfront carbon model.
[When do you need an LCA?]
An LCA is the right tool when Green Star, an investor or a design decision needs the whole life of the building on the table.
Projects targeting the Impacts Disclosure credit.
The Life Cycle Impacts credit compares the project with a reference building over the whole life cycle.
Where lifespans differ. For example: façade systems with different replacement cycles, or refurbish against rebuild.
Asking for whole-of-life embodied impacts.
We extend the same model to modules B, C and D, so you don't pay twice for the bill of materials.
An LCA compares both over the same service life.
[How it works]
Drawings, specifications or the QS cost plan, and any existing upfront carbon model.
Modules, indicators, service life and Green Star requirements. Fast-track timeframes are available case by case; timeframes are confirmed at quote.
Bill of materials, EPDs, use-stage schedules and energy data from our modelling.
EN 15978 report, option comparison and Green Star documentation.
Upfront carbon is modules A1–A5 and carbon only. An LCA covers modules A–D and multiple environmental indicators.
Yes. An A–D LCA can support Upfront Carbon Reduction (A1–A5) and Impacts Disclosure.
It's reported separately, as EN 15978 requires, so benefits beyond the system boundary don't hide impacts within it.
No. Product-specific EPDs improve accuracy where they exist. Otherwise, industry-average data is used and documented.
[Why Makao]
For operational energy.
Reviewed by Kelvin Mureithi, Founder, Makao · Green Star Accredited Professional, ISAP, Engineers Australia member.
