Environmental performance of construction works
The environmental performance of construction works makes the environmental impact of buildings and civil engineering works transparent. The Dutch Environmental Database forms the basis for a uniform determination of the environmental performance of construction works. This creates a common foundation for design, assessment and policy.
The environmental performance of construction works provides insight into the environmental impact of a building or civil engineering work throughout its entire life cycle. The environmental performance is determined on the basis of a uniform calculation method and environmental data of construction products. The outcome makes differences between design and material choices transparent and comparable. In the building sector this is expressed as the Environmental Performance of Buildings, and in the civil engineering sector often as the Environmental Cost Indicator. Is this topic new to you? Visit Environmental performance in short for a concise introduction.
What is the environmental performance of construction works?
The environmental performance of buildings indicates the environmental impact of a building or structure. This is determined through an environmental performance calculation, based on the Assessment Method and environmental data from the Dutch Environmental Database. The result is a numerical value expressing the environmental burden caused by a building, from production to demolition and reuse. The lower the MPG score, the more sustainable the building.
The Environmental Performance of Buildings (MPG) helps design and construct buildings more sustainably. The MPG indicates the environmental impact of a building: the lower the MPG score, the more sustainable the building. The score is expressed in euros per square metre of gross floor area (GFA) per year. In the Netherlands, it is mandatory to calculate the environmental performance of new buildings. The method is described in the Environmental Performance Assessment Method for Construction Works, a uniform measurement method based on the European standard EN 15804.
MPG and MKI: what’s the difference?
- In the Building and Non-Residential Sector (B&U), the MPG is used to measure the environmental performance of buildings.
- In the Civil Engineering Sector (GWW), the Environmental Cost Indicator (MKI) is often used, which is based on the same methodology.
Methodology and calculation
Assessment Method
Learn more about the methodology for calculating the environmental performance of construction works
Renovation and transformation
How do you apply environmental performance calculations in renovation and transformation projects?
Environmental performance calculation
Learn more about how the environmental performance of a building is calculated and what is needed for an accurate assessment
Calculation tools
Discover which calculation tools you can use to assess the environmental performance of buildings.
Application in practice
Policy in the Netherlands and Europe
Learn more about Dutch and European policies and regulations in the construction sector.
Application of the Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) in Civil Engineering
Read more about the application of MKI in the civil engineering sector
Circular construction
How does circular construction contribute to a lower environmental impact, and how does the NMD incorporate circularity into environmental performance assessments
FAQ on environmental performance calculation
Questions about environmental performance, the MPG calculation, or circular construction? Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions here.
Frequently asked questions Environmental performance calculation
The Environmental Performance of Buildings (EPB - MPG in Dutch) calculates the environmental impact of the materials used in a building. The 2012 Building Decree makes this calculation mandatory for B&U:
- new residential buildings
- residential buildings
- offices with a surface area of 100 m2 or more
Each environmental performance calculation must comply with the 'Bepalingsmethode Milieuprestatie gebouwen en GWW-werken'. This allows the environmental performance of an entire building to be determined based on the performance of the products and elements that make up the building.
It enables clients and architects to make sustainable choices based on a national calculation method and database.
The determination of the environmental performance of a structure can be performed with calculation tools that have been validated by the Stichtng NMD.
The EPB is used to calculate the environmental performance of structures. The environmental performance is an important measure of the sustainability of a structure.
Calculating environmental performance is mandatory in the building and civil engineering sector under the Building Decree. In the civil engineering sector, we see more and more clients including environmental performance as an award criterion in tenders.
