What is WLC-GWP?

WLC-GWP stands for Whole Life Cycle Global Warming Potential. It is a method for calculating the GWP greenhouse gas emissions of buildings across the full life cycle, from material production and construction through to use and end of life. This calculation is carried out over a reference study period of 50 years.

WLC-GWP combines both the material-related greenhouse gas emissions across the full life cycle of buildings and the emissions from building-related energy use during the use phase into a single indicator, including any energy exported back to the grid.

What is WLC-GWP?

WLC-GWP is a method for calculating greenhouse gas emissions of buildings across the full life cycle. The outcome is expressed in kg CO2-equivalents per m² usable floor area per year.

The WLC-GWP Assessment Method applies to new buildings (buildings and civil structures).

It does not apply to civil engineering works (infrastructure). The WLC-GWP method also does not apply to industrial functions and other use functions, as a designated energy performance calculation method within NTA 8800 is not yet available for these.

Which emissions are included?

WLC-GWP kijkt naar verschillende levensfasen van gebouwen, waaronder:

Production of construction materials
Transport and construction process
Maintenance and replacement
Emissions from energy use during the use phase
Demolition and end-of-life processing

WLC-GWP thereby combines both material-related and operational emissions in a single calculation.

Why is WLC-GWP used?

The environmental impact of materials has long been assessed using LCA methodology and standards such as EN 15804. Alongside this, attention to greenhouse gas emissions across the full life cycle of buildings is growing, covering both material-related and operational emissions.

WLC-GWP provides a consistent basis for making these emissions transparent and is linked to the European EPBD IV Directive.

What is the difference between MPG and WLC-GWP?

The environmental performance calculation (MPG) and WLC-GWP are not the same.

The environmental performance calculation covers multiple (19) environmental impact categories of buildings based on a life cycle assessment (LCA).
WLC-GWP focuses specifically on greenhouse gas emissions across the full life cycle of a building.

Both methodologies have a different focus and are complementary.

What is the role of Stichting NMD?

Stichting NMD manages the system for the environmental performance of construction works in the Netherlands and the Dutch Environmental Database, which contains environmental data for construction products and construction processes.

Reliable environmental data and consistent calculations also play an important role in the development of WLC-GWP. Stichting NMD has developed the WLC-GWP Assessment Method for this purpose and supports the sector with information on methodological developments and the application of environmental data within the system.

What role does environmental data play?

WLC-GWP uses environmental data for construction products, construction processes and energy use. Environmental declarations from the Dutch Environmental Database are an important source for material-related emissions. Data from the energy performance system is used for energy-related emissions during the use phase. Reliable environmental data and consistent calculations are essential for results to be meaningfully compared.

How does WLC-GWP relate to EPBD IV?

WLC-GWP is linked to the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV). This directive includes provisions for making greenhouse gas emissions of buildings transparent across the full life cycle.

The further implementation and national elaboration of these provisions differ per member state and are still under development. This increases the importance of consistent methods, reliable environmental data and clear information.

Important to note

The European EPBD IV Directive includes provisions on WLC-GWP calculations for new buildings. Further implementation and elaboration within Dutch regulation are still under development.