New LCA requirements in the Danish Building Regulations (BR23)
On 1 January 2023, an addendum to the Danish Building Regulations came into force. Going forward, an LCA calculation of the climate impact must be conducted on all new buildings. A maximum GWP threshold of 12 kg CO2 equivalent per square metre per year must also be documented on buildings larger than 1,000 m2.
The lifespan of buildings is set at 50 years, and the replacement of materials must therefore be included in the calculations. However, not all building parts must be included in the calculation. Virtually everything to do with plumbing and electrical work is exempt, for example, as are materials such as nails and screws. This is set to change, however.
In the years to come, the climate impact requirements will be further tightened, and this will apply across the entire construction industry and to all players within it – developers, consultants and contractors alike.