Low Carbon Landscape-Led Masterplanning

R-LA provides a layered, holistic approach to design with biodiversity, sustainable drainage and carbon sequestration at its core. Carbon scorecards are used to asses the carbon footprint and time required to achieve carbon neutrality for landscape projects based on site design and management.

Scorecards are an evolving tool and should be selected according to the project needs. They can be used for projects in the design phase or already completed projects.

R-LA uses a scorecard to input detailed information about the project, including materials, hardscape site elements such as paving, walls, kerbs, fences, gates, drainage, mulch and soil. The scorecard considers both the embodied and operational carbon of materials used as well as the impact of demolition. This information is then assessed against data on carbon sinks on site, such as wetlands, trees, lawn, and shrubs. The output of this equation is an estimate of the number of years required to achieve carbon neutrality for the project, the amount of carbon sequestered, the net impact over a period of up to 50 years, and the embodied carbon profile.