Southwest
Environmental LimitedSouthwest
Environmental Limited| London |
| 02076 920 670 |
| Exeter |
| 01392 927 961 |
| Manchester |
| 01612 970 026 |
| Bristol |
| 01173 270 092 |
SWEL carry out all manner of life cycle assessments. With the BREEAM "Simplified" LCA Tool, we are presented with a spread sheet, and a library of referenced values. However, rather then using a standard transparent metric such as kgCO2e/kg, the BREEAM Simplified LCA returns a result in "ecopoints", this metric is influenced by the carbon footprint of the materials, and contains other factors such as those listed in criteria for the green guide.
The chart below shows the the eco points that are accrued from a simplified single story building envelope. The external walls, here in standard construction of brick outer, medium dense concrete block inner, make for a large proportion of the buildings impact.
Including timber only elements can help reduce building impact, although owing to the occluded nature of the "eco point" we are not entirely sure how.
A description of eco points is provided on the BRE website:
"An Ecopoint is the unit of measure of the environmental impact of a unit, product or material. The Ecopoint score is a single score obtained from the combined results of a life cycle assessment against the 13 impact categories identified in the BRE Environmental Profile methodology. The Ecopoint score is also relative to the impact of an EU citizen over one year: 100 Ecopoints = the environmental impact of 1 EU citizen over one year. The more Ecopoints a unit or design gets, the worse the environmental impact of that unit."
If you would like us to help fill out your BREEAM life cycle assessment forms, because you are short of time, then please get in touch. However, we would suggest that it is very likely you could do it your self provided you have the time!
Where you might need some help is if you are going off-pieste with some unusual designs. For example we have been invited to undertake LCA on some homes that float (to avoid flood risks) and in this instance below ground floor everything is non standard, in this instance we might use BRE approved LCA software such as OneClickLCA, to undertake a Life Cycle Assessment and generate values which can be used in you BREEAM Assessment.
The below section was written by a machine.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a core component of modern BREEAM assessments, particularly for securing credits under the Mat 01 (Environmental Impacts from Construction Products) category. By quantifying the environmental impact of a building's materials and design from "cradle to grave," developers can make informed decisions that reduce embodied carbon and improve overall sustainability. Our consultancy provides expert technical support for both simplified and complex LCA requirements.
The BREEAM methodology often utilizes a specific metric known as "Ecopoints" to measure environmental performance. Unlike standard metrics like kgCO2e, ecopoints are derived from a combined life cycle assessment against 13 distinct impact categories identified by the BRE. This holistic view ensures that various environmental factors—not just carbon—are considered in the building's design.
Standard tools often fall short when projects involve innovative or "off-pieste" architectural designs—such as floating homes or bespoke substructures. In these instances, our team utilizes BRE-approved high-tier software, such as OneClickLCA (which of course is more than one click), to perform in-depth assessments. This allows us to generate accurate values for non-standard components, ensuring your BREEAM assessment reflects the true environmental benefits of your unique design.
Successfully navigating the BREEAM LCA process requires a deep understanding of building physics and sustainability standards. Whether you are conducting a Mat 01 analysis or integrating results into a wider BREEAM Pre-Assessment, SWEL provides the technical authority and professional accreditation (IES/FGS) needed to secure your project's success. With over 15 years of experience and 900+ projects delivered, we ensure your LCA reporting is robust, accurate, and audit-ready.
Our team is dedicated to providing best-in-class sustainability consultancy, helping you achieve higher BREEAM ratings through precise, science-based life cycle modeling.