The need for a comprehensive and consistent approach in sustainability assessment of buildings - the EC Product Environmental Footprint

Abstract

To date a proliferation of sustainability claims in architecture is noticed with a main focus on energy during the use stage of buildings. Although this is highly relevant, a more comprehensive life cycle approach is needed to support decision making in order not to overlook relevant environmental burdens such as respiratory effects and land use. As a base for addressing the current confusion in the market, the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) was developed and has recently been adopted by the European Commission. This method provides specific guidance for comprehensive, robust and consistent environmental assessment of products. It is based on four main principles: (1) multi-criteria, (2) life cycle thinking, (3) consistency and (4) ensuring maximally physically representative modeling. This paper presents the PEF in the specific context of buildings.