Deliverable 4.1 Guidance and Principles of a WLC Framework
This report presents the INDICATE LIFE project's recommendations on the design principles for an effective EU whole life cycle (WLC) assessment framework for buildings. More specifically, it includes an analysis of the European Commission's draft delegated act on life-cycle global warming potential (GWP) calculations, which is open for public consultation during October 2025.
Drawing on findings and experience from the INDICATE Pilot and the ongoing INDICATE LIFE project, the report offers evidence-based guidance on key design principles, including data hierarchies, lifecycle scope, allocation methods, and result presentation. It highlights critical considerations for Member States preparing for implementation, emphasising the balance between EU-wide harmonisation and necessary national flexibility. The analysis covers essential areas such as reference study periods, useful floor area calculations, building component scope, and approaches to embodied emissions from energy-generating systems.