In 2002, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department initiated a consultancy study titled Life Cycle Energy Analysis of Building Construction. Recommended by the Construction Industry Review Committee in 2001, the study aimed to develop an assessment tool with model and data that appraises life cycle costs and life cycle performance of building materials and components; and provides guidelines on the use of alternative materials and systems that could help improve the environmental, energy and economic performance of buildings. The study also aimed to promote the concept of sustainable construction and to solicit a broad base of public support for sustainability for the community.

♦ An introduction to Life Cycle Energy Assessment (LCEA) and
  Life Cycle Costing (LCC) of Building Developments [PDF format (1.53MB), the
♦ Final Report [PDF format (3.09MB)] and the
♦ Executive Summary of the Final Report [PDF format (442KB)]
for the study can be downloaded here.

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool [ZIP format (22.2MB)]
(which contains the user manual [PDF format (2.06MB)]),
♦ installation guide for the tool [PDF format (18KB)],
♦ quick user guide [PDF format (151KB):-
  • Step 1: Open and close a project [AVI format (33.7MB)]
  • Step:2: Create and save a new project [AVI format (37.6MB)]
  • Step 3: Central plant data input [AVI format (151MB)]
  • Step 4: Fabric construction data input [AVI format (71.4MB)]
  • Step 5: Shading mask data input [AVI format (41MB)]
  • Step 6: Operating energy calculation [AVI format (49.6MB)]
  • Step 7: Generate input summary [AVI format (29.8MB)],
and three introductory booklets, titled
♦ Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) Tool for
  Commercial Building Developments in Hong Kong [PDF format (1.15MB)],
♦ Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) Tool
  [PDF format (655KB)], and
♦ Life Cycle Energy Analysis (LCEA) Software Tool for
  Commercial Building Development in Hong Kong [PDF format (467KB)]
are available from this website.

The booklets provide general information on the concept of LCA and an outline of the established LCA tool which was developed based on extensive research work, a survey of commercial buildings and consultation forums to the local construction industry.

With the integration of life cycle philosophies, the LCA tool provides a user-friendly processing template, with design-oriented data-entry sheets and informative reporting documents for use by the construction industry in Hong Kong.

Enquiries and comments can be emailed to lcea@emsd.gov.hk.