Method

Partners: BOKU, EFI, FCBA, IVL

WP3 builds on WP2 findings to improve ToSIA for the sustainability assessment and benchmarking of competing value chains using economic, environmental and social indicators as demanded by decision makers. WP3 will also prepare the method and set examples for generic reference value chains in the construction sector (typical house construction) which will be adjusted to suit country-specific situations in WP4 and against which the comparison wood construction value chains will be benchmarked. Existing data and studies (e.g. from LCA assessments) will be used to describe these reference chains. WP3 also develops a set of universal indicators which can be used to assess renewable and non-renewable chains equally.

Method / Indicator development (Month 4-18)

Based on the gap analysis, ToSIA will be further developed as an assessment tool for analysis and comparison of non-renewable, renewable and mixed value chains. The feasibility and operationability of adding benchmark indicators and calculation routines to compare with fossil/mineral-based value chains will be explored by developing a suite of ecological, economic and social aspects key indicators for construction value chains. This approach will go beyond LCA methods and tries to contribute answers to the major bioeconomy challenges. It will allow for benchmarking of construction value chains, substitution effects, and integrate different assessments towards performance indicators for product-based assessments. The indicator cohort will be validated via expert and stakeholder consultation (case studies and interest groups).

The key indicators will be tested against current standards before implementation in ToSIA. This requires the definition of processes along the value chain with linked indicators, and a common material flow denominator.

Benchmarking (Month 7-36)

Building indicators along non-renewable reference value chains, based on existing studies, will allow benchmarking against renewable value chains. These chains cover full or partial house construction chains or house construction elements. Indicators are selected for assessing different environmental, social and economic sustainability aspects with the aim to develop individual benchmarks.

To ensure the operational suitability of the method and indicators, both will be tested in selected house construction cases (WP4). Validating indicators and benchmarking routines on real cases shall lead to the calculation of substitution potentials for non-renewables with renewable materials, and carbon storage potential in timber products via specific indicators, which could be used in Green Public Procurement, sustainability business schemes and policy-making. These benchmark results will be scrutinized vis-á-vis the existing policy and legal prescriptions both on EU and national levels (in the case study countries), and give results according to the different sustainability dimensions (what?), the different stages of the value chains (where?) and in time (when?). The method will be developed in a way that allows for incorporation of life cycles, transport, footprints, and socio-economic effects into the benchmarking of diverse value chains and their components and processes.

Data collection efforts will be kept to a minimum by utilizing results and knowledge from previous projects like €CO2, INFRES, EU BEE and EU tender studies e.g. ClimWood 2030.

Milestones and Deliverables

D3.1 Integrated indicator framework for sustainability assessment of construction value chains (M18)
D3.2 Benchmarking report on the method, synthesis of results, and policy analysis (M34)
M3.1 Draft indicator set for review of stakeholders (M12)
M3.2 Benchmarking concept for value chain assessment implemented in ToSIA (M28)