This report, led by KU Leuven under the INDICATE LIFE project, explores how whole life carbon (WLC) benchmarks can support more consistent and comparable assessments across Europe. It examines existing approaches, data gaps and methodological challenges, and outlines key considerations for developing robust, policy-relevant WLC benchmarks. The findings can provide an important foundation for future regulation and market uptake.

While awareness of whole life carbon (WLC) is growing in Italy, it is not yet standard practice. This sub-report, developed under the INDICATE LIFE project and led by POLITO, explores how designers, institutions and early adopters are approaching WLC today, and where key barriers remain.
Drawing on stakeholder interviews and real case studies, it highlights the growing value of WLC and what Italy needs to be ready for EPBD requirements.

Croatia is at an early stage of whole life carbon (WLC) implementation, with assessments still voluntary and fragmented. This sub-report, part of the INDICATE LIFE project and authored by EIHP, explores insights from early adopters, revealing how design choices can significantly influence carbon outcomes. With EU requirements approaching, it highlights the gaps, challenges and priorities shaping Croatia’s path towards mandatory WLC.

INDICATE LIFE examines the role of whole life carbon (WLC) regulation in advancing sustainable building practices in Luxembourg. This report by the Ministry of Economy (MECO) highlights how carefully designed policies can achieve emission reductions, promote innovation, and manage costs, while highlighting potential risks from inadequate implementation. Insights are illustrated through nine real-world case studies from Luxembourg.

In Austria, whole life carbon (WLC) assessments are starting to influence how buildings are designed. This sub-report, developed under the INDICATE LIFE project and led by ÖGNI, draws on real building projects to explore the environmental and economic value of WLC assessments. The report highlights where WLC delivers clear benefits, where challenges persist, and what is needed to scale implementation ahead of EPBD requirements.

This paper by the University of Zagreb provides an overview of the provisions and comments on the draft Delegated Act resulting from the INDICATE LIFE project. The Directive requires zero emission buildings (ZEB) based on high energy efficiency and renewable energy, while the Delegated Act establishes a common methodology. This paper is written in Croatian.

This infographic provides a summary of the main objectives of the INDICATE LIFE project.

This Infographic provides details on the data collection challenges faced in the INDICATE LIFE project, and how INDICATE LIFE is providing solutions to these.

This Academic Paper, developed under the INDICATE Pilot Project, addresses the lack of a harmonised LCA method in Spain by developing a data infrastructure based on co-creation, the development of new data and the compilation of existing data.

This report by BPIE presents the INDICATE LIFE project's recommendations on the design principles for an effective EU whole life cycle (WLC) assessment framework for buildings.

This map shows the geographical coverage of the INDICATE project.

This map shows the geographical coverage of the INDICATE Pilot project.

This map shows the geographical coverage of the INDICATE Life project.

The INDICATE programme explores how to reduce emissions across the whole life cycle of buildings — from construction materials and energy use to renovation and demolition. 

Watch the explainer video here.

This roadmap by Hungary GBC was produced as part of the Building Life project in 2023. The roadmap details how to decarbonise Hungary’s built environment across its whole life cycle.

This report by Construct Innovate outlines the approach to collecting LCA data for Irish buildings and the resulting benchmarks.

This Annex document by the Spanish Green Building Council (GBCe), developed under the INDICATE Pilot project, should be referenced to alongside the National Policy Brief, detailing supporting data, detailed breakdowns, and technical information.

This report by GBCe, developed under the INDICATE Pilot project, outlines the approach to establishing a national baseline for whole life carbon in new residential and office buildings in Spain.

Watch the recording of the Spanish INDICATE Pilot project results. Please note that the recording is available in Spanish.

This extended policy brief report, prepared by Czech GBC as part of the INDICATE Pilot project, provides a more detailed overview of WLC assessment in the Czech Republic.