Update of environmental impact data behind BRANZ CO2NSTRUCT and LCAQuick

BRANZ research has revealed a significant gap between the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of our new dwellings and the carbon budget within which they should be operating. The building and construction industry will increasingly need access to carbon data to make informed decisions that will reduce such emissions through good design and materials choices. To obtain this understanding of the carbon implications of our buildings across their life cycle, the project uses carbon footprinting or life cycle assessment measurement. <br><br>The most up-to-date accurate data is essential for carbon footprinting. This will ensure more reliable, relevant calculations to help better understand the climate change impacts of our construction materials and buildings. BRANZ plays a key role in delivering this data to the New Zealand building and construction industry via the BRANZ CO₂NSTRUCT database and LCAQuick. New data from manufacturers and other sources is becoming available all the time, meaning that BRANZ data can quickly become dated. It is important that the information and tools provided to the industry are maintained and trusted. This 4-year project aims to maintain and update the environmental impact data behind BRANZ CO₂NSTRUCT and LCAQuick and includes an update to the calculated carbon budget models for residential and commercial buildings.