A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates a building’s total climate impact from cradle to grave: from extracting raw materials, through production, transport and construction, to operation, maintenance and final demolition.
Why does it matter to you?
If you’re building or renovating, an LCA tells you which choices actually make a difference for the climate. It’s not enough to choose “green” materials based on instinct — an LCA quantifies whether a timber or concrete structure has a lower carbon footprint over the building’s full lifespan.
In Denmark, the building regulations (BR18) require an LCA for new buildings over 1,000 m² of heated floor area, with a maximum of 12 kg CO₂-equivalents per m² per year. The threshold is set to tighten.
LCA is relevant for homeowners in three situations:
- New construction: Documentation required for planning permission
- Major renovation: Voluntary but useful for comparing material choices
- Renovation vs. demolition: LCA shows whether preserving an existing building saves carbon
How it works
Each building material has an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) with its GWP value. The LCA combines all materials’ GWP values into one total figure in kg CO₂-eq/m²/year. In Denmark, the tool LCAbyg (Danish Building Research Institute) is widely used.
Frequently asked questions
What does an LCA cost?
A simple LCA for a single-family home typically costs €2,000–5,000 with a consultant. Builders using LCAbyg themselves can reduce this significantly, but it requires expertise.
When is an LCA legally required in Denmark?
From 2023 for new buildings over 1,000 m² of heated floor area. Smaller buildings are not yet required, but that is expected to change.
Is an LCA the same as an energy rating?
No. An energy label covers only operational energy use. An LCA is broader and includes the carbon embedded in materials and construction processes — so-called “embodied carbon”.
What’s the difference between an LCA and an EPD?
An EPD provides environmental data for a single product or material. An LCA combines EPDs from all building materials into one total carbon account.