[IEA EBC Annex 89] Net-Zero Whole-Life Carbon Buildings, 6th Expert Meeting (Prague)

[IEA EBC Annex 89] Net-Zero Whole-Life Carbon Buildings, 6th Expert Meeting (Prague)

On June 28-29, the SBD Lab at the University of Liège, represented by Aurora Bertini, participated in the 6th Expert Meeting of IEA EBC Annex 89 – Ways to Implement Net-Zero Whole-Life Carbon Buildings, hosted in Prague, Czech Republic.

As Annex 89 approaches the final phase of its work, with completion scheduled for September 2026, experts from across Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania gathered to review progress on the Annex's technical deliverables and discuss the scientific foundations required to move from operational carbon targets toward net-zero whole-life carbon buildings.

One of the most stimulating discussions focused on terminology. Since the Annex was launched in 2023, both climate science and policy frameworks have evolved rapidly. Experts reflected on concepts such as Paris-goal compatibility, net-zero claims, and the treatment of negative emissions within building life cycle assessment. The discussion highlighted a challenge increasingly visible in the literature: terminology is often used inconsistently, creating misunderstandings between researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and building owners. Establishing a common language remains a prerequisite for scaling whole-life carbon assessment internationally.

A major focus of the Prague meeting was Subtask 2, which investigates and compares national methodologies for life-cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP) assessment. Through a structured comparison of national approaches, experts documented substantial differences in system boundaries, reference study periods, treatment of biogenic carbon, accounting of negative emissions, and implementation maturity. The exercise provided a unique overview of how countries are progressing toward whole-life carbon regulation and where methodological gaps still remain.

📊 This is also where the SBD Lab's contribution is most active.

Through the PhD research of Aurora Bertini, SBD Lab contributes to the development of frameworks for whole-life carbon assessment and negative emissions accounting in support of net-zero whole-life carbon targets. The work investigates existing methodologies, stakeholder awareness, and methodological consistency while benchmarking approaches against common reference buildings. These activities are closely linked to Aurora's doctoral research on whole-life carbon assessment of building retrofit projects and the integration of life-cycle thinking into decarbonization pathways for the existing building stock.

Several Annex deliverables are already publicly available. Among them is the report led by Rolf Frischknecht on negative emissions in building life cycle assessment, which addresses one of the most debated topics in contemporary carbon accounting:
https://doi.org/10.3217/978-3-99161-096-0-001

This work reflects a broader transition occurring across the building sector. As regulations increasingly move beyond operational energy and operational carbon, whole-life carbon assessment is becoming a central component of building policy, sustainable finance, procurement, and certification schemes. Annex 89 is helping establish the scientific and methodological foundations required for this transition.

A sincere thank you to Alexander Passer, Operating Agent of Annex 89, to Martin Volf for the insightful visit to the University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings (UCEEB), and to the entire Czech team for their excellent organization and hospitality.

📚 Learn more about Annex 89 https://annex89.iea-ebc.org/

📚 Learn more about our research https://www.sbd.uliege.be/

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