Pan-industry carbon database updated

The BECD interface includes improved user navigation, simplified data extraction and usage function. The reformed data capture method complies with the latest RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment standard. For the first time, the library features all data from the latest version of the Inventory of Carbon and Energy – an internationally used embodied carbon database for materials.

BECD’s updated product library is linked with Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) cost data through the BCIS Life Cycle Evaluator. BCIS is making the evaluator available to all users of its capital, operational and whole‑life cost packages.

The BECD was developed and funded by BCIS. It is free-to-access and is designed to become the main source of carbon estimating and benchmarking for the industry.

The BECD steering group includes representatives from BCIS, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, The Carbon Trust, the Institution of Structural Engineers, BRE, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the UK Green Building Council and the Association of Consulting Engineers.

The announcement of the improvements follows the belated publication of Aecom’s government-commissioned report that identified and made recommendations to address the embodied carbon data gap.

James Fiske, BCIS executive director and BECD steering group chair, said: “The BECD refresh is incredibly timely. Coupled with the report’s recommendations, it’s a clear signal to the government to form a national carbon dataset.