Sweco is expanding the LCA database to measure and analyse the CO2 impact from construction

Collaboration and knowledge sharing is the way forward in the transformation of construction. For this reason, the architectural and engineering consultancy, Sweco, has now expanded its comprehensive LCA database to include more than 160 calculated new construction and renovation projects. The database gives a structured approach to measure and analyse the CO2 impact from construction and is accessible for everybody.

Sweco’s database draws on data from more than 160 calculated building projects across different building types and include calculations of renovation projects. With this database, it is now possible to perform analyses of the CO2 impact down to detailed typology, project, and building component levels. The objective is to provide developers with a solid foundation for making informed decisions that can help reduce the climate impact of construction.

Please visit the database here

With this database, users may:

Gain insight into the development of the CO2 impact at different levels in construction projects
Ensure a higher level of knowledge for early decisions on structural designs and materials
Get an overview of CO2 calculations for both new construction and renovation projects
Identify the potential of energy renovations
Compare projects with current and proposed CO2 emission limits

“I believe that transparency and collaboration are necessary to be able to accelerate the transition within construction. With our ongoing expansion of an open and accessible database, all stakeholders have a knowledge base from which to draw inspiration and make decisions. I hope that the database will support even more collaboration across the industry,” says Christine Collin, Business Unit Manager Sustainable Buildings at Sweco.

More and new updates on their way

The database contains CO2 data in a life cycle perspective from construction projects such as offices, daycare centres, schools, housing, sports and production facilities. With the latest update, it is also possible to get an overview of the outcomes of the renovation calculations. The results include renovations in a broad sense – ranging from minor to extensive renovations, conversions, and transformations.

“It is important that we also compare new construction with renovations and their associated climate impact in our overall approach to discussing greener practices. This applies to both the CO2 emissions, as well as the energy consumption. We can tell that for the vast majority of renovations, energy consumption has the greatest impact on the climate, and that there is significant potential in focusing on the operational phase and making active choices in this regard,” says Christine Collin.

The database will continue to be updated with new projects and LCA calculations. The next expansion will also include updating data to enable the calculation of a project’s biodiversity footprint, both on site and off site.

With increasing focus on sustainability and stricter regulations around the climate impact, we hope that by making the database publicly available we can contribute to the necessary joint development in the industry,” says Christine Collin.
Facts about Sweco’s LCA database

Enables quantifiable CO2 reduction targets: The database enables quantification of climate impact, providing a solid basis for setting CO2 reduction targets in both new and renovated buildings
A tool for the industry: The comprehensive contents of the LCA database and public accessibility makes it a tool that can be used widely within the industry. Its usability can be extended to more projects and more data such as biodiversity, making the database scalable to promote more sustainable construction
Benchmarking and optimisation: With this database, users may benchmark their projects against an extensive collection of past projects. This can lead to new ways of optimising processes and choice of materials.
Interdisciplinary application The LCA database is not only useful for professionals in the construction industry but also for researchers, students, and policymakers seeking to understand and improve the environmental impact of construction

Sweco’s LCA database was launched publically on June 13, 2023. Since then, the database has been updated with several projects and typologies and made available for everyone at Sweco’s website

Kristian Torp

Press officer