UKWIR enlists expert team to evaluate putting a number on whole-life carbon

Research body, UKWIR, has appointed an academic/consultancy partnership to “provide clarity on the value of quantifying whole-life, total expenditure (Totex) carbon and using it in decision-making and engaging the sector with a common approach.”

Stantec, Mott MacDonald and occupational psychologist, Dr. Kamal Birdi from Sheffield University have joined forces to provide UKWIR with a better understanding of the options for “integrating capital and operational carbon emissions across the whole life of asset investment.”

Stantec and Mott MacDonald said they will draw on their “extensive experience in whole-life carbon appraisals in water and other sectors, to:

• carry out a high-level review of the tools currently in use;

• consider the potential for integrated TOTEX carbon calculation; and

• assess the appetite amongst potential end users for whole life carbon planning tools of this type.

The companies said the project will “deliver an outline framework setting out the value of, as well as some objectives and principles for, quantifying whole life carbon as an aid to investment decision-making and to delivering low-carbon outcomes.”