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Life Cycle Assessment for Built Environment Training Course

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Life Cycle Assessment for Built Environment Training Course

Introduction:

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a critical methodology used in evaluating the environmental impact of buildings and infrastructure projects throughout their life cycle. This 5-day training course provides participants with an in-depth understanding of the LCA process, from its principles and methodology to its application in the built environment. The course will cover the stages of a building’s life cycle, environmental impact categories, data collection, impact analysis, and LCA software tools. Through this training, participants will gain the skills needed to assess the environmental sustainability of construction projects, make informed decisions about material selection, and minimize negative impacts on the environment.

Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will:

  1. Understand the principles and methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
  2. Learn how to conduct an LCA for a building or infrastructure project.
  3. Identify the key life cycle stages in construction, including materials sourcing, construction, operation, and demolition.
  4. Gain insight into environmental impact categories (e.g., energy use, emissions, water usage, waste generation).
  5. Be able to evaluate the sustainability of construction projects through a comprehensive LCA approach.
  6. Understand the use of LCA tools and software in the built environment.
  7. Learn to communicate the results of an LCA to stakeholders in a meaningful way.

Who Should Attend:

This course is ideal for professionals involved in the design, construction, and management of buildings and infrastructure, as well as those interested in sustainability and environmental impact assessment, including:

  • Architects and Designers
  • Civil and Environmental Engineers
  • Sustainability Consultants
  • Construction Project Managers
  • Facility Managers
  • Policy Makers and Regulators in Sustainable Building Practices
  • Students and Researchers in Environmental and Construction Engineering

Course Outline:

Day 1: Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Its Importance

  • Session 1: Overview of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
    • What is LCA? Definition, Purpose, and Applications
    • Historical Background and Development of LCA
    • Importance of LCA in the Built Environment: Sustainability, Regulatory Compliance, and Market Demand
  • Session 2: LCA Methodology
    • The Four Phases of LCA: Goal and Scope Definition, Inventory Analysis, Impact Assessment, and Interpretation
    • Life Cycle Stages: From Material Extraction to Construction, Operation, Maintenance, and End-of-Life
    • Types of LCA: Attributional vs. Consequential LCA
  • Session 3: Environmental Impact Categories
    • Key Environmental Impact Categories: Global Warming Potential, Resource Depletion, Acidification, Eutrophication, and Water Use
    • How LCA Measures These Impacts: Indicators and Metrics
    • Application of LCA in Identifying Areas for Improvement in Construction Projects
  • Activity: Group Discussion – Exploring the Role of LCA in Sustainable Building Design

Day 2: Life Cycle Stages and Data Collection

  • Session 1: Life Cycle Stages in the Built Environment
    • Understanding the Key Stages of a Building’s Life Cycle: Planning, Design, Construction, Operation, and Demolition
    • Environmental Impacts Across Each Stage: Embodied Carbon, Energy Use, Waste Generation, and Operational Efficiency
    • Considerations for each Stage: Sourcing Materials, Building Systems, End-of-Life Disposal
  • Session 2: Data Collection for LCA
    • Types of Data Required: Primary vs. Secondary Data, Quantitative and Qualitative Data
    • Sources of Data: Manufacturers, Databases, Case Studies, Industry Standards
    • Data Quality and Uncertainty: How to Deal with Missing or Inaccurate Data
  • Session 3: Building Material Data and Selection
    • Identifying Key Materials for LCA: Concrete, Steel, Wood, Insulation, Glass, etc.
    • Material Sourcing: Local vs. Global Impacts, Resource Depletion, and Sustainability
    • Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Their Role in Data Collection
  • Activity: Hands-on Exercise – Identifying Data Sources for LCA in a Sample Construction Project

Day 3: Impact Assessment and LCA Software Tools

  • Session 1: Environmental Impact Assessment
    • Methods for Quantifying Environmental Impacts: Midpoint vs. Endpoint Indicators
    • Characterization, Normalization, and Weighting: Steps in Impact Assessment
    • Impact Categories in Detail: Global Warming, Acidification, Human Toxicity, and More
  • Session 2: Software Tools for LCA
    • Introduction to LCA Software: SimaPro, GaBi, OpenLCA, and Others
    • Using Software for LCA Modeling: Input-Output Data, Process Flows, and Impact Calculation
    • Advantages and Limitations of LCA Software in Built Environment Projects
  • Session 3: Integrating LCA with Building Design
    • Applying LCA to Assess Design Alternatives: Materials, Energy Systems, and Building Components
    • LCA for Energy Efficiency: Comparing Life Cycle Impacts of Different Building Designs and Systems
    • Integrating LCA Results into Decision-Making: Selecting Sustainable Options in Design and Construction
  • Activity: Hands-on Exercise – Using LCA Software to Analyze a Building Design Option

Day 4: Interpreting and Communicating LCA Results

  • Session 1: Interpreting LCA Results
    • Understanding LCA Output: Impact Summary, Interpretation, and Recommendations
    • Identifying Key Findings: Areas of Significant Environmental Impact
    • Evaluating Trade-offs in LCA: Embodied vs. Operational Impacts, Short-Term vs. Long-Term Effects
  • Session 2: Communicating LCA Results
    • Presenting LCA Results to Stakeholders: Simplifying Complex Data for Decision Makers
    • Best Practices for Reporting LCA Findings: Graphs, Charts, and Executive Summaries
    • Integrating LCA into Project Documentation: Building Certifications (LEED, BREEAM)
  • Session 3: Decision-Making Based on LCA Results
    • How LCA Supports Sustainable Design: Integrating Results into Building Certification, Regulations, and Client Requests
    • Identifying Opportunities for Improvement: Design Adjustments, Material Substitutions, Energy Efficiency
    • Life Cycle Costing vs. LCA: Understanding the Relationship Between Cost and Environmental Impact
  • Activity: Group Workshop – Presenting LCA Results for a Building to Stakeholders

Day 5: Advanced Topics in LCA and Future Trends

  • Session 1: LCA for Sustainable Urban Development
    • LCA Applications in Urban Planning: Assessing the Environmental Impact of Cities and Communities
    • Integrating LCA in Infrastructure Projects: Roads, Bridges, and Utilities
    • Sustainable Urban Design: How LCA Helps Shape Green Cities
  • Session 2: Emerging Trends and Challenges in LCA
    • The Role of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in LCA
    • Innovations in LCA: Carbon Footprint, Embodied Carbon, Circular Economy, and Bio-based Materials
    • Challenges in LCA: Data Quality, Standardization, and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
  • Session 3: Future Directions in LCA for the Built Environment
    • Life Cycle Assessment and Climate Change Mitigation
    • The Role of LCA in Achieving Net-Zero Carbon Buildings and Sustainability Goals
    • The Future of LCA: Integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Digital Twins
  • Activity: Group Discussion – Exploring the Future of LCA in the Built Environment and Identifying Key Innovations

Course Delivery:

  • Interactive Lectures: In-depth sessions with visual aids to explain the core principles, methodology, and applications of LCA.
  • Hands-on Exercises: Practical exercises using LCA software tools to model and analyze real-world construction scenarios.
  • Case Studies: Analyzing real-world LCA reports to explore best practices and lessons learned.
  • Group Workshops: Collaborative activities focused on interpreting and presenting LCA results for design alternatives.
  • Software Demonstrations: Live demonstrations of LCA tools and how to use them to assess and improve sustainability in building design.

Date

Jun 16 - 20 2025
Ongoing...

Time

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Durations

5 Days

Location

Dubai

Category

Next Occurrence

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