Where there’s a will, there’s a better way GREENLIGHT ALLIANCE
Following the release of a lighting-specific revision to CIBSE’s embodied carbon assessment tool (TM65.2), the GreenLight Alliance look into the reasoning behind the move, and its benefits.
There is no denying that since the metric was launched in 2021 (as covered in arc 129), TM65’s impact on our industry has been significant and positive. However, having been conceived as a broader building services tool, it became apparent that some features were not a perfect fit for lighting equipment. Riding on a tide of enthusiasm and keen to maintain momentum, a team formed with the specific intention of creating a lightingspecific version, honed to the idiosyncrasies of lighting kit. In this month’s article Dr. Irene Mazzei, ably assisted by some familiar names (also cocontributors to the venture), talks us through the reasoning behind the recently released lighting specific revision (TM65.2 Lighting) to CIBSE/SLL’s successful and popular embodied carbon assessment tool. In doing so, demonstrating just how effective and usable a tool this has become.
Why?
Dr. Irene Mazzei Stoane Lighting/Napier University/Innovate UK The lighting industry is taking big steps forward in the sustainability journey, and we believe that a dedicated version of TM65 will facilitate the practice of embodied carbon assessment within the industry. Furthermore, research is always ongoing on sustainability themes and it’s important to keep assessment methodologies relevant and updated, in order to give users the best instruments to 116 / 117
quantify and report their sustainability achievements. Simon Fisher FMark Our industry is being pressured by government, architects, M&E consultants, consulting engineers and designers to provide carbon (and circular economy) data. Currently we have a lack of this data and need to grow availability at a rapid rate. In my opinion, TM65 holds the key to rapid deployment of data, acknowledging that the calculation method is generated using assumptions and generic data, which can be firmed up by more accurate LCA and EPD data in the coming years. TM65 for lighting streamlines the lighting elements and simplifies the use further. Jonathan Rush Hoare Lea Lighting designers, electrical engineers and other specifiers of light want to make informed decisions about the stuff they specify. The more people that use TM65.2, the more data we have and the more informed the specifier decisions will be. TM65.2 can change the role of the lighting specifier from a powerless observer to an active participant in the mission to reduce lighting’s environmental impact and help save our planet.