ISO/TS 21929-2:2015

ISO/TS 21929 -2
TC 59/SC 17
Sustainability in building
construction
Sustainability indicators
Part 2 : Framework for the
development of indicators
for civil engineering works
First edition
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ii © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

Executive summary
Although the ISO portfolio already comprises of a number of standards dealing with
sustainability for buildings, this is the first publication dealing with sustainability for
civil engineering works (e.g. road construction, dams, maritime works). It will contribute
to improving the related design and decision process and help in the monitoring,
measurement and evaluation of the sustainability of civil engineering works throughout
their life-cycles.
It will also contribute to demonstrating that the civil engineering works sector feel
socially responsible and to gathering supporting data for communication and marketing
strategies.
It is intended to be used in the
• design and decision making process during the planning and design stage of civil
engineering works,
• development and application of assessment methods and certification systems,
• specification and verification of environmental and social requirements in the
context of procurement,
• indicating of civil engineering performance (e.g. marketing),
• measuring, monitoring or evaluating of the performance and achievement of
sustainability objectives over the different life cycle stages of the civil engineering
works, and
• representing of activities and results in the context of responsibility towards
economy, environment and society (e.g. sustainable development reporting).
Contents Page
Foreword . vi
Introduction .vii
1 Scope .1
2 Normative references .1
3 Terms and definitions .2
4 General rules for sustainability indicators development and its framework .9
4.1 General . 9
4.2 Life cycle approach .10
4.3 Area of influence .11
4.4 Civil engineering works typologies .12
4.5 Relationship to ISO 15392 and other general principles .12
4.5.1 Relation to ISO 15392 .12
4.5.2 Relation to ISO 14000- series .13
4.5.3 Relation to ISO 26000 .14
4.6 Requirements for the development of indicators .14
4.7 Framework of sustainability indicators .16
4.7.1 General.16
4.7.2 Aspects for the development of environmental indicators .17
4.7.3 Aspects for the development of economic indicators .18
4.7.4 Aspects for the development of social indicators .19
5 Sustainability issues of concern . 20
5.1 General .20
5.1.1 Use of energy resources .23
5.1.2 Use of material resources .23
5.1.3 Management of waste .24
5.1.4 Use of water.24
5.1.5 Land use changes.24
5.1.6 Emissions to local environment (air, soil and water) .25
5.1.7 Noise and vibrations .28
5.1.8 Ecosystem processes and services .28
5.1.9 Landscape changes .29
5.1.10 Global warming potential, GWP (emissions to air) .29
5.1.11 Ozone depletion potential, ODP (emissions to air) .29
5.1.12 Eutrophication potential, EP (emissions to water) .30
5.1.13 Acidification potential, AP (emissions to soil or water) .31
5.1.14 Photochemical ozone creation potential, POCP (emissions to air) .31
5.1.15 External costs .32
5.1.16 Life cycle costs .32
5.1.17 Access to nature .33
5.1.18 Population system .33
5.1.19 Job creation .34
5.1.20 Cultural heritage elements .34
5.1.21 Social inclusion and acceptability .35
5.1.22 Risks and resilience .35
5.1.23 Health and comfort .35
iv © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

6 Development of a system of sustainability indicators. 36
6.1 General .36
6.2 Requirements for developing a system of indicators .37
6.3 Usability of sustainability indicators .38
6.4 Users of indicators .38
6.4.1 General.38
6.4.2 Public bodies and policy makers .39
6.4.3 Investors, owners, promoters and facility managers .39
6.4.4 Non-governmental organizations (considering interest groups
both at national and at local level) .39
6.4.5 Planners, developers and designers .39
6.4.6 Manufacturers of products .39
6.4.7 Contractors .39
6.4.8 Operators and maintainers .40
6.4.9 Users and people who are given service by the infrastructure .40
6.4.10 Nearby local residents.40
Bibliography . 41
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of
national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International
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electrotechnical standardization.
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approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This
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Part 2. www.iso.org/directives
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Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 59, Buildings and civil engineering
works, SC 17, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works.
ISO 21929 consists of the following parts, under the general title Sustainability in
buildings and civil engineering works — Sustainability indicators:
— Part 1: Framework for the development of indicators and a core set of indicators for
buildings
— Part 2: Framework for the development of indicators for civil engineering works
[Technical Specification]
vi © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This part of ISO 21929 describes and gives guidelines for the development of sustainability
indicators related to civil engineering works and defines the aspects and impacts of civil
engineering works to consider when developing systems of sustainability indicators.
These guidelines form a basis for the suite of ISO/TC 59/SC 17 standards intended to
address specific issues and aspects of sustainability relevant to construction works. The
issue of sustainable development is broad and of global concern, and, as such, involves
all communities and interested parties. Both current and future needs define the extent
to which economic, environmental and social aspects are considered in a sustainable
development process.
The built environment (buildings and civil engineering works) is a key element in
determining quality of life, and contributes to cultural identity and heritage. As such,
it is an important factor in the appreciation of the quality of the environment in which
society lives and works.
The building and construction sector is highly important for sustainable development
because:
— it is a key sector in national economies.
— it has a significant interface with poverty reduction through the provision of
improved basic economic and social services within the built environment.
— it is one of the single largest industrial sectors and, while providing value and
employment, it uses considerable resources and contributes to the transformation
of areas, with consequential impacts on economic and social conditions and the
environment.
— it creates the built environment, which represents a significant share of the
economic assets of individuals, organizations and nations, providing societies with
their physical and functional environment.
— it has considerable opportunity to show improvement relative to its economic,
environmental and social impacts.
While the challenge of sustainable development is global, the strategies for addressing
sustainability in civil engineering works are essentially local and differ in context and
content from region to region. These strategies reflect the context, the preconditions
and the priorities and needs, not only in the built environment, but also in the social
environment. This social environment includes social equity, cultural issues, traditions,
heritage issues, human health and comfort, social infrastructure and safe and healthy
environments.
It can, in addition, particularly in developing countries, include poverty reduction, job
creation, access to safe, affordable and healthy shelter, and loss of livelihoods.
This part of ISO 21929 defines a framework for the development of sustainability
indicators for civil engineering works based on the premise that civil engineering works
contribute to sustainable development about the required performance and functionality
with minimum adverse environmental impact, while encouraging improvements in
economic and social (and cultural) aspects at local, regional and global levels.
This part of ISO 21929 follows the general principles presented in ISO 15392.
Indicators are figures or other qualitative or descriptive measures that enable
information on a complex phenomenon, like environmental impact, to be simplified into
a form that is relatively easy to use and understand.
The three main functions of indicators are quantification, simplification and
communication. Targets can also be set with the help of indicators. Changes in a civil
engineering works over time and the development of changes in relation to stated
objectives can be monitored with the help of indicators. One of the important functions
of an indicator with reference to decision-making is its potential to show a trend.
When developing and selecting indicators, the starting point is the identification of the
main users and user needs. Sustainability indicators for civil engineering works are
needed in decision-making by a number of interested parties, such as
a) public bodies and policy makers,
b) investors, owners and promoters,
c) planners, developers and designers,
d) governmental and non-governmental organizations (considering interest groups
both at national and at local level),
e) manufacturers of products,
f) contractors,
g) operators and maintainers,
h) users and other stakeholders who are given service by the infrastructure, and
i) nearby local residents.
The civil engineering and construction sector needs sustainability indicators both for
its own decision-making within design, production and management as well as for
indicating to the public and to clients the economic, environmental or social impact of
civil engineering works, their products and related processes.
Indicators, as well as sets and systems of indicators, for the specification, assessment
and representation of the contribution of a civil engineering works to sustainable
development can be used in many different ways. For example, among others, their
application can support the following:
— design and decision making process(es) during the planning, and design stage of
a civil engineering works (e.g. incorporation in the design of sustainable material,
technologies, processes and other components).
— development and application of assessment methods and certification systems.
viii © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

— specification and verification of environmental and social requirements in the context
of procurement.
— indicating the civil engineering performance (e.g. marketing).
— measuring, monitoring or evaluating the performance and achievement of
sustainability objectives over the different life cycle stages of the civil engineering
works.
— accepting responsibility for impacts on the environment and the society.
— representation of activities and results in the context of responsibility towards
— the economy, environment and society (e.g. sustainable development reporting).
NOTE The monitoring and evaluation of objectives can contribute to the continual
improvement related to a specific or group of civil engineering works.
This part of ISO 21929 is one in a suite of International Standards dealing with
sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works, which includes ISO 15392,
ISO 21929-1, ISO 21930, ISO 21931-1, along with the terminology of sustainability in
buildings and civil engineering works (ISO/TR 21932).
The relationship among the International Standards is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — Suite of related International Standards for sustainability in
buildings and civil engineering works
1 Scope
This part of ISO 21929 establishes a list of aspects and impacts which should be
taken as the basis for the development of sustainability indicators for assessing the
sustainability performance of new or existing civil engineering works, related to their
design, construction, operation, maintenance, refurbishment and end-of-life. Together,
the indicators developed from this list of aspects and impacts provide measures to
express the contribution of a civil engineering works to sustainability and sustainable
development. The developed indicators should represent aspects of civil engineering
works that impact on issues of concern related to sustainability and sustainable
development.
The object of consideration in this part of ISO 21929 is a civil engineering works, a part
of the civil engineering works or a combination of several civil engineering works.
NOTE The aspects and impacts described in this part of ISO 21929 are intended to be
used for all types of civil engineering works. Development of specific sets of indicators for
different typologies of civil engineering works (industrial processes infrastructures; linear
infrastructures; dams and other fluvial works; maritime works; public spaces; other civil
engineering works-not contained in the previous typologies) will be the subject of future
standardization work.
This part of ISO 21929
— adapts general sustainability principles for civil engineering works,
— includes a framework for developing sustainability indicators for use in the
assessment of economic, environmental and social impacts of civil engineering
works,
— establishes a core set of aspects and impacts, which should be taken into account,
when developing systems of indicators for civil engineering works,
— describes how to use sustainability indicators with regard to civil engineering
works, and
— gives rules for establishing a system of indicators.
This part of ISO 21929 follows the principles set out in ISO 15392 and, where appropriate,
is intended to be used in conjunction with, and following the principles set out in,
ISO 26000, ISO 14040 and the family of International Standards that includes ISO 14020,
ISO 14021, ISO 14024 and ISO 14025. Where deviation occurs or where more specific
requirements are stated, this part of ISO 21929 takes precedence.
This part of ISO 21929 does not give guidelines for the weighting of indicators or the
aggregation of assessment results.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document
and are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited
applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
ISO 6707-1, Buildings and civil engineering works — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms
ISO 14020, Environmental labels and declarations — General principles
ISO 14040, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and
framework
ISO 14050, Environmental management — Vocabulary
ISO 15392, Sustainability in building construction — General principles
ISO 21929-1, Sustainability in building construction — Sustainability indicators — Part 1:
Framework for the development of indicators and a core set of indicators for buildings
ISO 21931-1, Sustainability in building construction — Framework for methods of
assessment of the environmental performance of construction works — Part 1: Buildings
ISO 26000, Guidance on social responsibility
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 6707-1,
ISO 14040, ISO 14050, ISO 15392 and the following apply. Where differences or conflicts
occur, the definitions in 3.1 to 3.44 take precedence.
NOTE 1 Several terms and definitions from these other sources have been repeated below for
ease of reference.
NOTE 2 ISO/TR 21932 is another source of terminological data on concepts related to
sustainability in civil engineering works and sustainable development that is applicable to the
different aspects of both the construction (process) and use of a civil engineering works and
the effect of the civil engineering works on sustainable development.
3.1
airport
area containing an airfield and facilities for handling passengers and cargo
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 3.3.12]
3.2
area of influence
area or combination of areas surrounding a civil engineering works (3.5) that can be
affected with changes to their economical, environmental or social conditions by the
civil engineering works’ operations throughout its life cycle (3.24)
Note 1 to entry: the area of influence is variable and dependent on the construction works (3.9)
project, its location and its life cycle stage. As an overall approach, the area of influence will be
usually limited to the civil engineering works itself and its immediate surroundings.
3.3
avoided emissions
emissions that are not produced (are avoided) as a result of the implementation of
voluntary initiatives or good practices
2 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

3.4
built environment
collection of man-made or induced physical objects located in a particular area or region
Note 1 to entry: When treated as a whole, the built environment typically is taken to include
buildings, external works (landscaped areas), infrastructure (3.20) and other construction
works (3.9) within the area under consideration.
[SOURCE: ISO 21929-1:2011, 3.7]
3.5
civil engineering work
work of constructing civil engineering works (3.6)
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 7.1.3]
3.6
civil engineering works
construction works (3.9) comprising a structure (3.35), such as a dam (3.9), bridge, road
(3.35), railway (3.31), runway, utilities, pipeline (3.30), or sewerage system (3.37), or the
result of operations such as dredging, earthwork (3.12), geotechnical processes, but
excluding a building and its associated site works
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 3.1.2]
3.7
civil engineering work system boundary
set of criteria specifying which unit processes are part of the specific analysis of a civil
engineering works (3.6)
[SOURCE: ISO 14050:2009, 6.6; modified and adapted to civil engineering works]
3.8
construction work
activities of forming a construction works (3.9)
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 7.1.1]
3.9
construction works
everything that is constructed or results from construction operations
Note 1 to entry: It includes both buildings and civil engineering works (3.6).
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 3.1.1; modified and adapted to civil engineering works]
3.10
dam
barrier constructed to retain water in order to raise its level, form a reservoir, or reduce
or prevent flooding
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 3.2.24]
3.11
dock
partially enclosed or sheltered area of water where vessels may be moored or docked,
used for shipping
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 3.3.69: modified and adapted to civil engineering works by
elaborating text to explicitly describe concept of basin (used) for shipping]
3.12
earthwork
work of excavating, or the raising or sloping of ground
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 7.1.6]
3.13
economic aspect
part of civil engineering works, processes or services related to their life cycle (3.24),
that can cause a change to economic conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 15392, 3.13; modified and adapted to civil engineering works]
3.14
environmental aspect
part of civil engineering works, processes or services related to their life cycle (3.24),
that can cause a change to the environment
Note 1 to entry: Adapted from ISO 14001:2004.
[SOURCE: ISO 15392, 3.14; modified and adapted to civil engineering works]
3.15
external costs
costs associated with an asset that are not necessarily reflected in the transaction costs
between provider and consumer and that, collectively, are referred to as externalities
Note 1 to entry: These costs may include business staffing, productivity and user costs; these
can be taken into account in a LCC analysis but should be explicitly identified.
[SOURCE: ISO 15686-5:2008, 3.1.6]
3.16
impact
any change that may be adverse or beneficial
[SOURCE: ISO 15392:2008, 3.13]
3.17
impact category
class representing an economic, environmental or social issue(s) of concern (3.22) (areas
of protection) to which analysis (assessment) results may be assigned
Note 1 to entry: Issues of concern can involve either impacts (3.16) or aspects related to the
economy, the environment or the society.
[SOURCE: ISO 21929-1:2011, 3.15]
4 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

3.18
indicator
quantitative, qualitative or descriptive measure representative of one or more impact
categories (3.17)
Note 1 to entry: Periodic evaluation and monitoring using indicators can show direction of any
impact (3.16).
[SOURCE: ISO 14040:2006, 3.40: modified and adapted to civil engineering works]
3.19
indirect indicator
indicator (3.18) that does not express the subject of interest directly or only expresses
it in a proxy way
3.20
infrastructure
civil engineering works (3.6), a part of the civil engineering works or a combination of
several civil engineering works
Note 1 to entry: In this part of ISO 21929, the term infrastructure is sometimes used as a
synonym for civil engineering works.
Note 2 to entry: Used of preferred term, infrastructure, derived from the definition of civil
engineering works in ISO 15392]
3.21
interested party
person or group concerned with or affected by the environmental performance (3.28) of
a civil engineering works (3.6)
[SOURCE: ISO 21931-1:2010, 3.18; modified and adapted to civil engineering works]
3.22
issue of concern
aspect(s) of the economy, the environment or the society that can be impacted by
construction works (3.9), goods or services
EXAMPLE Asset value, cultural heritage, resources, human health and comfort, social
infrastructure.
Note 1 to entry: The preferred term to designate this concept has been changed from ‘areas of
concern’ to ‘issue of concern’ and the admitted terms removed
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 21932:2013, 3.6]
3.23
land take
total area of land required for the civil engineering works (3.6)
3.24
life cycle
consecutive and interlinked stages of the object of consideration
Note 1 to entry: For consideration of environmental impacts (3.16) and environmental aspects
(3.14), the life cycle comprises all stages, from raw material acquisition or generation of natural
resources to final disposal.
Note 2 to entry: For consideration of economic impacts and economic aspects (3.13), in terms
of costs, the life cycle comprises all stages from construction to decommissioning. A period of
analysis (3.29) can be chosen to be different from the life cycle, see ISO 15686-5.
[SOURCE: ISO 14040:2006; modified and adapted to civil engineering works;
ISO 15392:2008, 3.15]
3.25
life cycle cost (LCC)
cost of an asset or its parts throughout its life cycle (3.24), while fulfilling its performance
(3.28) requirements
[SOURCE: ISO 15686-1:2011, 3.11]
3.26
life cycle costing
methodology for systematic economic evaluation of life cycle costs (3.25) over a period
of analysis (3.29), as defined in the agreed scope
Note 1 to entry: Life cycle costing can address a period of analysis that covers the entire life
cycle (3.24) or (a) selected stage(s) or periods of interest thereof.
[SOURCE: ISO 15686-5:2008, 3.1.8]
3.27
linear infrastructure
civil engineering works (3.6) characterized by its length, that transfers persons, materials
or energy from one specific point to an end point
Note 1 to entry: It includes civil engineering works such as roads (3.35), railways (3.31), bridges,
pipelines (3.30) or channels.
3.28
performance
ability to fulfil required functions under intended use conditions or behaviour when in
use
Note 1 to entry: Derived from the definition of performance in ISO 6707-1.
Note 2 to entry: The required functions address both the functionality requirements as well as
the technical requirements.
[SOURCE: ISO 15392:2008, 3.16]
6 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

3.29
period of analysis
period of time over which life-cycle costs (3.25) or whole-life costs (3.43) are analysed
Note 1 to entry: to entry: The period of analysis is determined by the client.
[SOURCE: ISO 15686-5:2008, 3.3.6]
3.30
pipeline
long continuous line of pipe(s), including ancillary equipment, used for transporting
liquids or gases
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 3.2.32]
3.31
railway
national or regional transport system for guided passage of wheeled vehicles on rails
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 3.3.3]
3.32
recovery
waste (3.42) treatment operation that serves a purpose in replacing other resources or
prepares waste for such a use
3.33
recycling
any recovery (3.32) operation by which waste (3.42) materials are reprocessed into
products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes
3.34
re-use
any operation by which products or components that are not waste (3.42) are used again
for the same purpose for which they were conceived
3.35
road
way mainly for vehicles
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 3.3.1]
3.36
set of indicators
non-structured list of indicators (3.18)
[SOURCE: ISO 21929-1:2011, 3.30]
3.37
sewerage system
system of sewer(s) and ancillary works that conveys the contents to a sewage treatment
works or other place of disposal
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 5.4.40]
3.38
social aspect
issue of construction works (3.9), parts of works, processes or services related to their
life cycle (3.24), that can cause a change to society or quality of life
[SOURCE: ISO 15392:2008, 3.33: Modified and adapted to civil engineering works]
3.39
structure
construction works (3.9) having an organized combination of connected parts designed
to provide some measure of rigidity
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2014, 3.1.4; modified and adapted to civil engineering works by
elaborating text to explicitly describe the concept as being an organized set of parts
providing rigidity]
3.40
sustainability indicator
indicator (3.18) related to economic, environmental, or social impacts
[SOURCE: ISO 21929-1:2011, 3.33]
3.41
system of indicators
structured list of indicators (3.18)
[SOURCE: ISO 21929-1:2011, 3.34]
3.42
waste
substances or objects that the original holder has disposed of or intends to or is required
to dispose of
Note 1 to entry: In this part of ISO 21929 this concept is not confined to hazardous waste.
Note 2 to entry: Adapted from the Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary
Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (22 March 1989), Article 2 Definitions,
Item 1. The wording has been simplified and the reference to national law as the basis for any
requirements has been removed.
[SOURCE: ISO 21929-1:2011, 3.37]
3.43
whole-life cost
all significant and relevant initial and future costs and benefits of an asset, throughout
its life cycle (3.24), while fulfilling the performance (3.28) requirements
[SOURCE: ISO 15686-5:2008, 3.1.14]
8 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

3.44
whole-life costing
methodology for systematic economic consideration of all whole-life costs (3.40) and
benefits over a period of analysis (3.29), as defined in the agreed scope
Note 1 to entry: The projected costs or benefits may include external costs (3.15) (including, for
example, finance, business costs, income from land sale, user costs).
Note 2 to entry: Whole-life costing can address a period of analysis that covers the entire life
cycle (3.24) or (a) selected stage(s) or periods of interest thereof.
[SOURCE: ISO 15686-5:2008, 3.1.15]
4 General rules for sustainability indicators development
and its framework
4.1 General
There are a number of issues that must be considered when expressing or describing
an assessment of the contribution which a civil engineering works has on achieving
sustainability and sustainable development with the help of indicators.
Indicators are quantitative, qualitative or descriptive measures representative of one or
more impact categories or classes of economic, environmental or social issues of concern,
to which analysis (assessment) results may be assigned. An indicator is intended to be
relevant and representative of a wider, more complex issue, which it helps to illustrate.
The use of indicators reduces the complexity of an issue that is to be assessed, and also
allows the assessment of issues that in themselves are not measurable.
When assessing or setting targets for the contribution of a civil engineering works to
sustainability, the use of other sustainability indicators may be relevant depending on
the specific circumstances of the civil engineering typology and location. Indicators can
address economic, environmental and social impacts directly as well as issues that have
indirect consequences on such impacts. In some cases, the indicators will address more
than just a single aspect of sustainability.
NOTE For instance, the hypothetical indicator “reused excavation material”, that may be
developed under the aspect “use of material resources” could be used to measure the surplus of
excavated material that is reused or recycled on site, instead of taken to landfill. This indicator
can address economic, social and environmental impacts, as detailed below:
— economic impacts: The higher the excavated surplus material is reused on site, instead of
being taken to landfill, the less will be the filling material that the project needs to purchase
for its construction. The reuse of material on site also decreases the transport of raw
material to the site and the transport of surplus construction materials to landfill, and it
consequently reduces the fuel consumption. All these effects have an important economic
impact for the project;
— environmental impacts: On the one hand, the reduction of borrow pits by reusing the surplus
materials on site, minimises the consumption of soil resources and the dust generation.
On the other hand, the reduction of waste taken to landfill reduces the need of space for
this activity and consequently minimises the environmental impact on natural habitats.
As well, the reduction of transport reduces the emissions to air and, in the long term, the
depletion of non-renewable sources like fuel. These examples show the environmental
impacts that can be addressed through the potential indicator;.
— social impacts: The reuse of excavated materials on site reduces the space needed for
landfills. This avoids landscape modification and territory segregation. The excavated
materials can be reused for land levelling; which increases the useful surface area that can
be for instance beneficial for agriculture uses. These are examples of social impacts, which
can be addressed through the potential indicator.
There are some technical design specifications that can affect the construction work and
its sustainability. For example, selecting one- or two-layer porous pavements instead
of dense asphalt in the design stage of a road can be used to reduce tyre road noise.
This may avoid or reduce the need to take corrective measures for noise abatement,
such as noise barriers or sound insulation in the use stage and may affect the values of
several indicators of economic, environmental or social impact when comparing it to
other alternatives.
Guidelines on the selection of materials, products and systems can be given as practical
recommendations, aiming to favour a certain type of technical measure. Practical
recommendations depend in any case on geographical and technological circumstances.
The degree of implementation of these measures, which are either defined as a design
alternative or adopted as a preventive measure or good practice, can be used as an
indicator in order to assess the sustainability of the civil engineering works.
4.2 Life cycle approach
The character, quality and availability of relevant information are all dependent on the
life cycle stage of the civil engineering works. In the life cycle of a civil engineering
works, the following stages should be considered:
Production stage: covers the period from “cradle” (extraction of material) to the factory
“gate” (before the products are transported to the site). It includes:
— material extraction and/or harvesting;
— transport;
— manufacturing and all upstream processes from cradle to gate.
Construction stage: covers the transportation of products to the site and the period
between the point of time when construction work start and the point when the civil
engineering works is “ready” to be used or to give its service to the related community.
It includes:
— on site extraction;
— transportation to and on the site;
— construction of the civil engineering works.
10 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

NOTE Design and procurement are included in the construction stage. When considering
activities such as site investigation or archaeological studies, which are undertaken during
planning, procurement or design stages, their impact shall be considered in the construction
stage.
Use stage: covers the period in which the civil engineering works is used or gives its
service to the related community. It includes:
— use;
— operation and management;
— maintenance and repair;
— replacement;
— refurbishment;
— decommissioning.
End-of-life stage: covers the stages that occur during the end-of-life process. It includes:
— deconstruction, demolition;
— transport;
— processing for reuse, recovery and / or recycling of construction materials;
— disposal of construction material;
— re-landscaping.
NOTE 1 Impa
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