INDICATE LIFE Partners and Stakeholders Exchange Perspectives at the Whole Life Carbon Networking Event
How can Europe move from ambition to implementation on Whole Life Carbon (WLC)?
This question was the focus of INDICATE LIFE’s WLC networking event, held in Brussels in June. The event convened national partners and key European stakeholders to exchange knowledge, explore solutions, and strengthen collaboration on WLC implementation.
National partners and stakeholders gathered in Brussels for the INDICATE LIFE WLC networking event.
The timing of the discussions was particularly relevant. With the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) Delegated Act on WLC expected by the end of 2025, participants emphasised that action is urgently needed to translate policy ambition into measurable impact.
Expert insights on WLC policy and practice
The agenda brought together leading voices from research and policy:
Bunthan lea (DG ENER) provided an overview of the European policy context, outlining the EPBD and its life-cycle global warming potential (GWP) provisions. The presentation gave a summary of EU legislation on energy and buildings, summarised the current measures addressing GWP, and highlighted the forthcoming recast EPBD provisions and considerations for the upcoming Delegated Act.
Bunthan Lea (DG Energy, European Commission) presenting the European policy context on WLC and the EPBD.
Zsolt Tóth (Buildings Performance Institute Europe, BPIE) underlined how applying a WLC perspective can support both affordability and quality in the built environment. By raising awareness of emissions, energy consumption, and space efficiency, WLC assessments can help inform better investment and design choices.
Zsolt Tóth (Buildings Performance Institute Europe, BPIE) sharing insights on affordability, quality, and the value of a WLC perspective.
Martin Röck (RISE Regenerative Spatial Systems Science and KU Leuven) highlighted the importance of transparency and detailed building-level lifecycle assessments. Such assessments provide the basis for more informed decision-making and the creation of robust, comparable benchmarks.
Martin Röck (KU Leuven and RISE) emphasising the importance of transparency and robust building-level lifecycle assessments
Kasper Benjamin Reimer Bjørkskov (No Objectives) presented the Beyond the Reduction Roadmap, a framework that combines carbon limits based on carbon budgets with nature restoration strategies. This approach demonstrates how the construction sector can align with environmental limits while contributing positively to ecological regeneration.
Kasper Benjamin Reimer Bjørkskov (No Objectives) presenting the Beyond the Reduction Roadmap
Collaborative dialogue
The event also featured roundtable discussions, during which INDICATE LIFE partners shared national perspectives from across Europe. These exchanges provided a clearer picture of the progress, challenges, and barriers faced in implementing WLC policies and practices at the national level.
INDICATE LIFE partners and stakeholders exchanging perspectives during roundtable discussions on WLC implementation across Europe.
Key themes and takeaways
Several recurring themes emerged throughout the day:
Harmonised approaches to WLC are essential, but flexibility must remain to account for local contexts.
Accessible data and practical tools are urgently needed to enable practitioners to apply WLC assessments effectively.
The development of a robust methodology is a vital step, but it must now be followed by concrete implementation and momentum.
The event reinforced a clear message: with regulatory developments on the horizon, Europe must act decisively to move from ambition to implementation on WLC.