Today, there is a big push for “whole building lifecycle assessments (LCAs).” While simple in theory, whole building LCAs are very difficult to standardize. Given today’s marketplace, which is heavily reliant on the prescriptive checklist approach of green building standards and rating systems, it would be unrealistic to expect that whole building LCAs could be fully and exclusively adopted all at once. However, whole building LCAs are widely embraced, and the transition towards their partial implementation is already taking place.

In LEED v4, MR Credit 1 “Building lifecycle impact reduction” addresses building lifecycle analyses in a number of ways, including the direct awarding of points for buildings which demonstrate reduction in materials use through whole building LCA. Alternatively, points are awarded via MR Credit 1 for the salvageability of inherently durable interior elements (e.g. walls, doors, floor coverings, ceiling systems). It will become increasingly important that manufacturers begin presenting their products’ lifecycle benefits and supporting LCA data.