The Future Homes Hub has released its Whole Life Carbon (WLC) Benchmarking Study for 2025, a landmark report addressing a critical knowledge gap in the UK homebuilding industry. For the first time, this study provides a vital, empirically grounded evidence base on the embodied carbon performance of new low-rise housing, guiding the sector’s collective transition to net zero.
The study’s core purpose is to create a robust snapshot of current carbon performance by analysing 48 detailed Whole Life Carbon assessments submitted by 17 industry partners. To ensure consistency, credibility, and comparability across the dataset, all assessments adhere to the rigorous standards outlined in the WLC Conventions for New Homes and RICS Professional Standard 2nd edition.
Establishing a Carbon Baseline
The top-level average (mean) carbon intensity metrics for new homes, derived from the entire dataset, are as follows:
• Upfront Carbon: 406 kgCO₂e/m²
• Whole Life Embodied Carbon: 611 kgCO₂e/m²
Launch Webinar
Join the FHH for the launch webinar, Benchmarking Embodied and Whole Life Carbon for New Homes, on:
• Tuesday 02nd December, 12-1pm
• Speakers: Adam Graveley (Future Homes Hub) and David Robins (Places for People)
The session will explore key findings and discuss what’s next for improving data consistency and transparency across the sector, and you can register here: Future Homes Hub UK
Download the report here.
