Monk Spaces conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) for the Infosys Office Campus in Kolkata. LCAs for buildings are crucial as they help make informed design and material choices. Quantification of environmental impacts across the life span of a building can lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. They can also aid in achieving green building certifications such as IGBC and LEED.

The LCA was conducted per the requirements of the international standard EN 15978. This standard was selected because it is an internationally accepted framework for assessing the environmental performance of buildings throughout their life cycle. Its comprehensive nature allows for the evaluation of both embodied and end-of-life emissions. Adherence to this standard ensures consistency and comparability with global practices, enhancing the credibility of the assessment. Additionally, our reporting protocols adhered to ISO 14040/44, ensuring transparency, consistency, and credibility in our LCA methodology. The assessment incorporated multiple impact indicators, like Global Warming Potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), and Eutrophication Potential (EP) etc., to analyse the environmental impact.

The analysis encompassed the Cradle-to-Handover stages (A1-A5), End-of-Life stages (C1-C4), and Beyond-the-Life-Cycle stages (D). Thus, it aimed to provide a detailed understanding of the carbon footprint across different life cycle phases. The Cradle-to-Handover stages (A1-A5) include extracting and processing raw materials, transportation, manufacturing, and construction. The End-of-Life stages (C1-C4) cover deconstruction, transportation, waste processing, and disposal. Beyond-the-Life-Cycle stages (D) account for potential benefits and loads beyond the system boundary.

The assessment provided a detailed view of the building’s environmental footprint and enabled the identification of critical contributors to emissions. This approach helped to develop effective reduction strategies. The results indicated the importance of optimising design and materials to minimise carbon footprint. It also encouraged the use of recycled and carbon-negative materials. Implementing these LCA recommendations marks a significant step for the Kolkata campus as Infosys continues to maximise operational efficiency.