Schneider Electric and One Click LCA: A New Era of Environmental Impact Transparency in MEP Products
Schneider Electric and One Click LCA: Trailblazing Transparency in Environmental Impact for MEP Products
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Schneider Electric and One Click LCA have joined forces to tackle the issue of environmental impact transparency in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) products. This partnership addresses a critical gap in data essential for the decarbonization of building services, which is paramount in the efforts to mitigate climate change.
The building sector is currently responsible for approximately 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions, with projections suggesting that half of the buildings in use today will remain operational by 2050. Therefore, Schneider Electric advocates for a strategic focus on retrofitting existing buildings, which has the potential to cut lifecycle carbon emissions by a staggering 83%. This initiative is particularly crucial in light of increasing urbanization and the urgent need for sustainable building practices.
Bridging Data Gaps in MEP
The collaboration initially targets new building projects in Europe, aiming to fill the significant void in available environmental data for MEP products. By integrating Schneider Electric's product data into the One Click LCA platform, users will gain access to comprehensive environmental information that can facilitate more precise environmental impact assessments for their projects.
Sorouch Kheradmand, Schneider Electric's Global Head of Sustainability, states, "The building industry needs reliable environmental data to make informed decisions. Our commitment to making MEP product information publicly available through One Click LCA is set to redefine transparency standards within our industry.” This sentiment highlights a growing recognition within the sector of the necessity for standardized environmental evaluations as they aim for a more sustainable future.
Panu Pasanen, CEO and Founder of One Click LCA, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of this first-of-its-kind partnership. He noted, "Access to manufacturer MEP product data has been a significant gap in building life-cycle assessments. With this new collaboration, AEC companies can now perform more accurate environmental impact calculations, which is a pivotal advancement for the industry.”
Key Features of the Collaboration
The Schneider Electric and One Click LCA partnership features several crucial components:
1. Integration of Environmental Data: Schneider Electric's extensive product data on environmental impacts will be uploaded to the One Click LCA platform, a move expected to greatly enhance the accuracy of life-cycle assessments.
2. Focus on New Building Projects: The initiative will initially support pilot projects in select European markets, providing a testing ground for its methodologies and data effectiveness.
3. Enhanced Sustainable Design Capabilities: Users of the One Click LCA platform will benefit from improved product selection tools that help streamline sustainable building designs.
About the Partners
One Click LCA is recognized globally for its sustainability software, utilized in over 170 countries. It specializes in life-cycle assessments that simplify the evaluation of a project's environmental footprint while supporting various sustainability standards and certifications. The platform integrates AI technology to facilitate efficient environmental assessments, helping construction and manufacturing firms make more informed decisions.
Schneider Electric, on the other hand, is a leader in energy management and automation. They are committed to driving progress and sustainability, encapsulated in their mission: "Life Is On.” Their global ecosystem comprises over 150,000 employees and more than a million partners designed to ensure that sustainability is prioritized in every business decision.
Conclusion
The strategic partnership between Schneider Electric and One Click LCA represents a pivotal moment in the quest for environmental transparency within the construction sector. By addressing significant lapses in MEP environmental data, this collaboration hopes to set a benchmark for sustainability practices worldwide. As climate change continues to present unprecedented challenges, initiatives like this are essential for enabling the industry to make informed, impactful decisions that promote a greener future.