Athena Institute launches whole-building LCA benchmarking initiative, seeking stakeholder feedback on methodology white paper

ID=2697 :: post_name=whole-building-lca-benchmarking-white-paper :: post_title=Benchmarking methodology white paper open for comment :: post_status=publish :: post_type=post :: post_category=Array

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Whole-building LCA benchmarking white paper open for comment

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a powerful tool for finding environmental hot spots in a product and exploring improvements. To quantify improvements, set performance targets and inspire smart choices, benchmarks are needed: something to compare results against.

As whole-building LCA is increasingly included in green building programs and sustainability policy, the need for a robust benchmarking system will become self-evident – programs and policy must have a credible baseline if they intend to set performance targets and to measure effectiveness.

Creating a system for whole-building LCA benchmarking requires resolution of multiple complex issues to ensure comparability between a building of study and a benchmark. In the white paper, we lay out a framework for whole-building life cycle assessment benchmarking and provide a goal-and-scope document for a “building materials database”, the key technical infrastructure component to enable benchmarks. We are seeking stakeholder feedback on the proposed methodology.

View the benchmarking methodology white paper.Open in current window Open in new window

View our report on a benchmarking pilot test.Open in current window Open in new window

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