Will the London Mayor's new London Plan guidance on Whole-Life Cycle Carbon Assessments and Circular Economy Statements help reduce carbon emissions?

 

The Mayor of London has issued new guidance which should help environmental campaigners in assessing Brent Council claims about the carbon impact of new developments and demolitions:

The Mayor of London has adopted two new pieces of London Plan Guidance (LPG), which set out the requirements for Whole Life-Cycle Carbon (WLC) Assessments and Circular Economy Statements. These apply to the largest developments in London that are referable to the Mayor, however, boroughs are encouraged to apply the policies for smaller developments. 

These support the Mayor’s priorities, such as a Green New Deal, and implementation of London Plan 2021 policies SI 2 Minimising greenhouse gas emissions and SI 7 Reducing waste and supporting the circular economy.

Whole Life-Cycle Carbon Assessments

The WLC guidance requires developments to show how they have calculated and minimised the carbon emissions that come from the materials, construction, and the use of a building over its entire life, including its eventual demolition and disposal. It gives a true picture of a building’s carbon impact and encourages the retention and reuse of existing structures and materials.

Circular Economy Statements

The CES guidance puts circular economy principles at the heart of designing new buildings, requiring buildings that can more easily be dismantled and adapted over their lifetime. It treats building materials as resources rather than waste, and puts in place a clear hierarchy, prioritising the retention of existing structures above demolition, where this is the more sustainable and appropriate approach. 

 

·       Whole Life-Cycle Carbon Assessments guidance https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/implementing-london-plan/london-plan-guidance/whole-life-cycle-carbon-assessments-guidance

·       Circular Economy Statements guidance https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/implementing-london-plan/london-plan-guidance-and-spgs/circular-economy-statement-guidance-consultation-draft