New shared tool to uncover the climate potential of urban nature

How can cities not only reduce carbon emissions but also actively store carbon?

This is the key question behind a new national research and development initiative aiming to establish a robust methodology for understanding carbon dynamics in the built environment.

LCAlandskab will become the first common Danish tool capable of calculating both emissions and carbon uptake in urban and landscape projects. The goal is to provide municipalities, consultants, developers, and contractors with a unified foundation for designing greener cities and minimising climate impact – similar to the role of LCAbyg within the building sector.

The project is led by Aalborg University (BUILD), SLA and Aaen Engineering, and carried out in collaboration with the Danish Technological Institute, University of Copenhagen, Kildedal P/S, Gottlieb Paludan Architects and IDverde. Running from September 2025 to September 2027, LCAlandskab is supported by Realdania, the Landowners’ Investment Foundation and the Dreyers Foundation.

A shared knowledge base for the green transition

While the building industry already relies on the LCAbyg methodology to calculate the climate impact of buildings, a validated equivalent is still missing for urban and landscape projects. LCAlandskab will consolidate existing research and practical experience into an open-source tool available to the entire sector.

Documenting the climate contribution of green areas is essential for developing resilient and sustainable public spaces. A shared calculation tool will strengthen the basis for decision-making and make it possible to design solutions with a measurable climate effect.

Urban nature as an active climate solution

A central focus of the project is to highlight the capacity of urban nature to absorb and store carbon over time. Trees, shrubs, and planted areas play a crucial role in the biological carbon cycle – yet their contribution has so far been difficult to quantify and document.

LCAlandskab will make it possible to calculate both emissions and sequestration, creating a more complete understanding of how urban spaces and landscapes can actively support the green transition. This will provide landscape architects, clients, and municipalities with a shared basis for designing solutions where urban nature becomes an integrated part of climate mitigation strategies.