Assessment Method WLC-GWP

Whole life cycle Global Warming Potential (WLC-GWP)

In line with European developments such as the EPBD, the Netherlands is working towards a consistent approach for assessing whole life carbon in the built environment. Within this context, the concept of WLC-GWP is being developed as part of the Dutch environmental performance framework.

The Dutch Environmental Database plays a supporting role in this development by providing the underlying environmental data and system framework used in national assessment methods.

At this stage, the WLC-GWP Assessment Method is still under development and available in Dutch conceptform only. For this reason, the detailed documentation is currently available in Dutch only.

Once the method has been finalised, an English version will be made available.

The Assessment Method Whole-Life Cycle Global Warming Potential (WLC-GWP) enables the calculation of GWP greenhouse gas emissions across the entire life cycle of a building, assessed over a period of 50 years.

This provides insight into

the greenhouse gas footprint over the full life cycle of the applied materials
building installations
as well as the building-related energy use of the construction (module B6).

For more information on the current status and background of WLC-GWP, please refer to the Dutch page.

Status of the method

At this moment, the method has not yet been adopted. The publications are still conceptual. Depending on the further elaboration of the WLC-GWP Roadmap by the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VRO), a revised version of the Assessment Method WLC-GWP may be published before it is formally adopted.

EPBD IV

The WLC-GWP methodology results from the obligations in the revised European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV).

Member States are required to report on the total CO2 emissions of new buildings over their full life span, namely the Whole-Life Cycle Global Warming Potential (WLC-GWP).

Future application

The Assessment Method WLC-GWP specifies how the WLC-GWP score must be calculated per phase of the building’s life cycle. These results must be stated on the energy label.

From 2028, the wlc-gwp calculation will be mandatory for permit applications for buildings with a gross floor area of more than 1000 m2. The results must be stated on the energy label.
From 2030, all new buildings subject to labelling requirements must also comply with the limit values set at that time.

For more information, see explanatory notes to the Assessment Method WLC-GWP.