INDICATE LIFE newsletter January 2026
Welcome to the latest edition of the INDICATE LIFE newsletter!
This biannual update shares the latest developments from INDICATE LIFE, a project co-funded by the European Union (EU)’s LIFE programme, which aims to improve whole life carbon (WLC) data and regulation in the European built environment.
Building on the original INDICATE pilots, INDICATE LIFE now extends this approach to Austria, Croatia, Italy, and Luxembourg, with Hungary participating as a follower country.
By improving the quality and availability of national life cycle assessment (LCA) data, the project helps lay the groundwork for robust WLC policies that support the EU’s transition to a climate-neutral future.
Coordinated by Smith Innovation, with core partners BPIE, KU Leuven, RISE and the World Green Building Council, INDICATE LIFE brings together 18 national partners from participating countries to deliver tools, benchmarks, and insights for a low-carbon built environment.
From ambition to implementation: insights from the WLC network event
Project partners and key stakeholders gathered at the INDICATE LIFE WLC Network Event in Brussels.
In June, INDICATE LIFE brought together national partners and key contributors to the advancement of WLC policy, in Brussels, Belgium, for an important discussion on advancing WLC data implementation across Europe’s built environment. With the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) Delegated Act on WLC scheduled for adoption by the end of 2025, the consensus was clear: the time to act is now.
Key insights from expert presentations
The event served as a platform for sharing insights and knowledge on WLC policies and featured presentations from experts, including Zsolt Toth (BPIE), Martin Röck (RISE), Bunthan Iea (DG ENER) and Kasper Benjamin Reimer Bjørkskov (No Objectives) who examined technical, regulatory and practical challenges of implementing WLC data across Europe’s built environment.
Key messages from the roundtable session
The event’s roundtable discussions highlighted important priorities for successful WLC data implementation across Europe:
Harmonisation with flexibility – while consistent approaches to WLC data and assessment are essential, frameworks must remain adaptable to local building practices, material availability, and regional contexts.
Data accessibility – even the best methodology is limited without accessible databases and practical tools that architects, engineers, and contractors can use in their day-to-day work.
From paper to practice – robust WLC frameworks now exist; the urgent priority is to translate these into real-world action on projects.
Hear from the event: why INDICATE LIFE matters
Key stakeholders and representatives from the pilot countries shared powerful insights at the Brussels event on why INDICATE LIFE is so important, both for their work and for advancing effective WLC implementation across Europe. Follow the link to view the full suite of videos.
Sustainable Places 2025
Dr Irene Mazzei presenting INDICATE LIFE at Sustainable Places 2025.
At this year’s Sustainable Places conference in October in Milan, Italy, project partner Università degli Studi di Bergamo represented INDICATE LIFE, with Dr Irene Mazzei from the University presenting the Italian consortium’s work on WLC assessment for Italy’s building stock.
Dr Mazzei provided an overview of INDICATE LIFE’s main phases and highlighted the national progress in developing a methodology for WLC assessment. The presentation also shared insights from case studies and outlined next steps as the project continues.
BPIE delivers guidance on WLC framework
Project partner BPIE has recently published Deliverable 4.1: Guidance and Principles of a WLC Framework. The report provided timely input during the public consultation period for the EU’s draft Delegated Act on life-cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP).
The deliverable offered targeted recommendations on key aspects of the EU framework, including reference study periods, life-cycle stage scope, embodied emissions from renewable energy systems, data quality assurance, and harmonised approaches. The report remains a valuable resource for policymakers and stakeholders preparing for the implementation of EU-wide building carbon assessment methods.
Read the full report.
INDICATE LIFE featured in new explainer video
A new explainer video from the broader INDICATE programme highlights the growing importance of addressing WLC in buildings, showing how emissions stem not only from energy use but also from materials, construction, renovation and demolition.
The video features INDICATE LIFE, showing how the project is building on the original INDICATE pilots to strengthen WLC data and methodologies across Austria, Croatia, Italy and Luxembourg. It provides an overview of how this project is aiming to advance the programme’s vision of evidence-based decarbonisation for Europe’s built environment.