Lawler Sustainability launches full LCA services with proven results across 20+ projects

Lawler Sustainability is now offering full-scope Lifecycle Carbon Assessments (LCAs) and Whole Life Cycle Assessments (WLCAs) for the built environment. Over the past year, we have delivered more than 20 detailed assessments for clients in Ireland and the UK, supporting both new builds and deep retrofits. Our work covers as-designed and as-built stages, offering technical clarity and compliance with the most widely adopted carbon frameworks.

According to Kayleigh-Ann Myles, Head of ESG & Sustainability, demand for LCA services has increased significantly over the past 12 months.

We believe this rise is directly influenced by the UK market, where LCAs are already embedded in planning policy, development funding, and certification systems like BREEAM and the London Plan. In Ireland, we are now seeing the same pattern. Carbon reporting is no longer a future obligation. It is becoming a present-day requirement.

The regulatory landscape is changing

Across both Ireland and the UK, life cycle carbon assessments are being introduced through a mix of planning policies, public procurement frameworks, and sustainability legislation.

• Under the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), whole life carbon reporting will be required for new public buildings from 2027
• The EU Taxonomy requires whole life carbon data and performance thresholds for projects seeking green finance or ESG-linked investment
• PAS 2080:2023 has become the recognised approach for carbon management in infrastructure and large-scale construction projects

Clients who delay their approach to carbon assessment risk future non-compliance, missed funding opportunities, and increased design-stage rework.

What we have delivered

Our team has produced over 20 LCAs and WLCAs in the past year, powered by One Click LCA software. These assessments have informed major decisions across design, material selection, and retrofit feasibility.

On a public retrofit project, we achieved an embodied carbon intensity of 314 kgCO₂e/m² compared to 702 kgCO₂e/m² for a new build alternative, reducing construction emissions by more than 55 percent.

Across five school developments, we consistently met the 625 kgCO₂e/m² embodied carbon target set in public procurement, using targeted material optimisation and early-stage design guidance.

Material swaps such as GGBS concrete and 80 percent recycled structural steel resulted in over 850 tonnes of CO₂e savings on a single education project.

According to Ilyass Hlioua, Lawler’s dedicated LCA engineer, the impact is both measurable and practical.

LCA is not just about reporting. It gives design teams the evidence to make lower-carbon decisions. In one case, we recommended a change to precast over in-situ concrete, which brought both carbon and cost benefits. On another, we modelled three design options and gave the client confidence to proceed with a retrofit instead of demolition.

Life Cycle Reporting designed for clarity and decision-making

Our reports are aligned with EN 15978, ISO 14040/44, LEED v4, BREEAM UK and International, RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge, and the EU Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act. Each report includes:

• Full breakdown of embodied carbon from A1 to A5 (and where required, B, C, and D stages)
• Carbon hotspots analysis with specific saving opportunities
• Scenario modelling and material substitutions
• As-designed and as-built comparisons for compliance
• Clear visual outputs and summary tables for project teams and stakeholders

We focus on practical insights, not just raw data. Our reporting structure is where clients often see the real value of LCA, particularly when preparing planning submissions, board approvals, or ESG disclosures.

What this means for architects, developers, and contractors

Architects
We support early-stage design decisions with material-specific data. LCA is most effective when integrated from RIBA Stage 2 or 3. Our team works closely with design architects to model the embodied carbon of envelope, structure, and systems.

Real estate developers
LCA is becoming a requirement for green finance and fund-level ESG reporting. We provide benchmark-aligned reports to support EU Taxonomy eligibility, Net Zero targets, and planning compliance.

Contractors
We offer practical support in delivering as-built LCAs. We work directly from the Bill of Quantities (BOQ), product specifications, and material supply data. We also assist in identifying EPDs and tracking actual site inputs to ensure final reports reflect the real carbon impact of the build.

Transparent pricing and accessible service

We offer a fixed pricing model for LCAs, meaning your project team can plan ahead without unexpected consultancy costs. Our services are structured to make compliance achievable and affordable, particularly for public projects and mid-sized developments.

We tailor each scope to the size and type of your project, and provide a clear list of required inputs from the outset. In most cases, all we need is the BOQ, drawings, and product specifications to get started.