ISO 21928-2:2023
(Main)Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works — Sustainability indicators — Part 2: Framework for the development of indicators for civil engineering works
Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works — Sustainability indicators — Part 2: Framework for the development of indicators for civil engineering works
This document establishes a set of common aspects and impacts for all typologies of civil engineering works, and identifies core sets of environmental, social and economic aspects and impacts for each typology of civil engineering works defined. The common core set of aspects and impacts described in this document are applicable to all types of civil engineering works. In addition, this document describes specific core sets of aspects and impacts for different typologies of civil engineering works (industrial process infrastructures; linear infrastructures; dams and other fluvial works; maritime works; public spaces; and other civil engineering works not contained in the previous typologies). Further, the document gives rules for establishing a system of indicators and describes how to use sustainability indicators regarding civil engineering works. This document does not provide guidelines for the weighting of indicators or the aggregation of assessment results.
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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 21928-2
First edition
2023-04
Sustainability in buildings and civil
engineering works — Sustainability
indicators —
Part 2:
Framework for the development of
indicators for civil engineering works
Reference number
ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
© ISO 2023
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 General rules for sustainability indicators development and its framework .8
4.1 General . 8
4.2 Life cycle approach . 9
4.3 Area of influence . 10
4.4 Civil engineering works typologies . 11
4.5 General principles and relationship to other relevant standards. 11
4.5.1 General principles and procedures . 11
4.5.2 ISO 15392 — General principles of sustainability in building construction .12
4.5.3 ISO 14000 — Management systems standards .12
4.5.4 ISO 26000 — Social responsibility standard .12
4.6 Requirements for the development of indicators . 13
4.7 Framework of sustainability indicators . 14
4.7.1 General . 14
4.7.2 Issues for the development of environmental indicators.15
4.7.3 Issues for the development of social indicators . 16
4.7.4 Issues for the development of economic indicators . 17
5 Set of aspects and impacts .17
5.1 General . 17
5.2 Description of environmental aspects and impacts . 18
5.2.1 General . 18
5.2.2 Water management . 18
5.2.3 Energy management . 20
5.2.4 Material management . 21
5.2.5 Waste management . .22
5.2.6 Emissions to environment (air, water and soil) .22
5.2.7 Noise, vibrations and light impacts . 26
5.2.8 Landscape changes . 26
5.2.9 Ecosystem health . 27
5.2.10 Land use changes .28
5.3 Description of social aspects and impacts .29
5.3.1 General .29
5.3.2 Accessibility .29
5.3.3 Adaptability . 31
5.3.4 Population system . 32
5.3.5 Job creation . 32
5.3.6 Cultural heritage .33
5.3.7 Stakeholders’ involvement.34
5.3.8 Human rights . 35
5.3.9 Resilience . 35
5.3.10 Health and comfort . 43
5.3.11 Impacts on the neighbourhood. 45
5.3.12 Maintenance and maintainability .49
5.3.13 Safety/security .49
5.3.14 Sourcing of materials and services .50
5.3.15 Social equity . 51
5.4 Description of economic aspects and impacts . 51
5.4.1 General . 51
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
5.4.2 Life-cycle costs . 51
5.4.3 External costs . 52
5.4.4 Effects on local economy . 52
5.4.5 Sustainable funding .53
5.4.6 Social internal rate of return . 53
5.4.7 Management mechanisms . . 53
6 Development of a system of sustainability indicators .53
6.1 General .53
6.2 Rules for developing a system of indicators .54
6.3 Usability of sustainability indicators . 55
6.4 Users of indicators .56
7 Reporting and communication .57
7.1 General . 57
7.2 Information on the report . 57
7.3 Statement of boundaries, scenarios used and additional functions considered in
the assessment . . .58
7.4 Data sources . .58
7.5 Communication of assessment results .58
7.5.1 General .58
7.5.2 Simplifications and additional remarks . 59
Annex A (normative) Core indicators by civil engineering works (CEW) typology.60
Annex B (informative) Cost and revenue categories .72
Annex C (informative) Evaluation of risks .77
Annex D (informative) Relation between the sustainability indicators in this document
and the UN Sustainable Development Goals .79
Annex E (informative) Example of utilization of indicators for decision support in the
selection of alternatives in civil engineering projects .82
Bibliography .84
iv
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 59, Buildings and civil engineering works,
Subcommittee SC 17, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works.
This first edition cancels and replaces ISO/TS 21929-2:2015, which has been technically revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— new indicators are provided;
— core and additional indicators and some specific indicators for different typologies of CEW are
listed in Annex A;
— the relationship between the indicators and United Nations SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
is addressed.
A list of all parts in the ISO 21928 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
v
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---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
Introduction
This document describes and provides 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 civil engineering works. The issue of sustainable
development is broad and of global concern and, as such, involves all communities and stakeholders.
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 people live and work.
The built environment is highly important for sustainable development because:
— it is a key sector in national economies;
— it has a significant impact on 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 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.
In addition, these strategies can include poverty reduction, job creation, access to safe, affordable
and healthy shelter, and loss of livelihoods. These aspects are closely related to the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). For this reason, in Annex D, the relation of the provided
indicators to these SDG is shown.
This document defines a framework for the development of sustainability indicators for civil engineering
works based on the premise that civil engineering works contribute to improving the economic, social
and environmental aspects at local, regional and global levels with minimum adverse impact. This
document follows the general principles presented in ISO 15392.
Indicators are figures or other qualitative or descriptive measures that enable information on a complex
phenomenon, such as, environmental impact, to be simplified into a form that is relatively easy to use
and understand.
The four main functions of indicators are quantification, simplification, communication and decision
making. Changes in a civil engineering works over time and the development of changes in relation to
stated objectives and targets should be monitored with the help of indicators.
vi
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
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
several stakeholders, such as:
— public bodies and policy makers;
— investors, owners and promoters;
— planners, developers and designers;
— governmental and non-governmental organizations (considering interest groups both at national
and at local level);
— manufacturers of products;
— contractors;
— operators and maintainers;
— users and other stakeholders who are given service by the infrastructure; and
— local residents.
An example of utilization of indicators for decision support in the selection of alternatives is provided
in Annex E.
Sustainability 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 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;
— 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;
— identifying critical trends, both positive and negative, in the development and operation of 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.
Aspects and impacts are the basis of the framework 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. The indicators developed
from these sets of aspects and impacts provide measures to express how the performance of a civil
engineering works contributes to sustainability and sustainable development. The indicators developed
based on these sets represent aspects of civil engineering works that potentially impact on issues of
concern related to sustainability and sustainable development.
vii
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
The object of consideration in this document is a civil engineering works, a part of the civil engineering
works or a combination of several civil engineering works.
This document 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, ISO 21931-2,
along with the terminology of sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works defined by
ISO/TR 21932. The relationship among these International standards is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — Suite of related international standards for sustainability in buildings and civil
engineering works
Figure 2 illustrates how the assessment of the environmental, economic and social performances fits
within the concept of the sustainability assessment of a civil engineering works.
viii
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
NOTE The outer box with the thick dotted line represents the area within the scope of this document.
Figure 2 — Concept of sustainability assessment of civil engineering works
Indicators related to technical and functional performance are beyond the scope of this document.
Technical and functional characteristics are taken into account here by reference to the functional
equivalent, which also forms a basis for comparison of the results.
This document supports the development of indicators as a basis for quantification of the contribution
of the assessed civil engineering works to sustainable construction and sustainable development.
Third parties’ expectations and needs include those from societal, NGOs and local communities.
Environmental, social and/or economic requirements for the civil engineering works (based on the
client´s brief, as part of third parties’ expectations and needs or imposed by regulation) are taken into
account. Thus, they are part of the communication and included in the report . However, they are not
assessed.
This document adapts general sustainability principles for civil engineering works and 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, this document goes
beyond the requirements of these standards.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works —
Sustainability indicators —
Part 2:
Framework for the development of indicators for civil
engineering works
1 Scope
This document establishes a set of common aspects and impacts for all typologies of civil engineering
works, and identifies core sets of environmental, social and economic aspects and impacts for each
typology of civil engineering works defined.
The common core set of aspects and impacts described in this document are applicable to all types
of civil engineering works. In addition, this document describes specific core sets of aspects and
impacts for different typologies of civil engineering works (industrial process infrastructures;
linear infrastructures; dams and other fluvial works; maritime works; public spaces; and other civil
engineering works not contained in the previous typologies).
Further, the document gives rules for establishing a system of indicators and describes how to use
sustainability indicators regarding civil engineering works.
This document does not provide guidelines for the weighting of indicators or the aggregation of
assessment results.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1996-2:2017, Acoustics — Description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise — Part 2:
Determination of sound pressure levels
ISO 2631 (all parts), Mechanical vibration and shock — Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body
vibration
ISO 14020, Environmental statements and programmes for products — Principles and general requirements
ISO 14040, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework
ISO 15392:2019, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works — General principles
ISO 15686-1:2011, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 1: General principles
and framework
ISO 15686-2, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 2: Service life prediction
procedures
ISO 15686-5:2017, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 5: Life-cycle costing
ISO 15686-7, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 7: Performance evaluation
for feedback of service life data from practice
1
© ISO 2023 – All rig
...
TC /SC
Date: 2022-11-17
ISO 21928-2:2022(E)
TC /SC /WG ISO/PRF 21928-2
ISO/TC 59/SC 17
Secretariat: AFNOR
Document type:
Document subtype:
Document stage: (60) Publication
Document language:
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COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
Date: 2023-02-08
Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works —
Sustainability indicators —
Part 2:
Framework for the development of indicators for civil engineering
works
FDIS stage
Document type:
Document subtype:
Document stage: (60) Publication
Document language:
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ISO/PRF 21928-2:2023(E)
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this
publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can
be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.orgwww.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved iii
---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
ISO/PRF 21928-2:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword . vi
Introduction .vi i
Part 2: Framework for the development of indicators for civil engineering works . 1
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 General rules for sustainability indicators development and its framework . 8
4.1 General . 8
4.2 Life cycle approach . 9
4.3 Area of influence . 11
4.4 Civil engineering works typologies . 11
4.5 General principles and relationship to other relevant standards . 12
4.5.1 General principles and procedures . 12
4.5.2 ISO 15392 — General principles of sustainability in building construction . 12
4.5.3 ISO 14000 — Management systems standards . 13
4.5.4 ISO 26000 — Social responsibility standard . 13
4.6 Requirements for the development of indicators . 14
4.7 Framework of sustainability indicators . 15
4.7.1 General . 15
4.7.2 Issues for the development of environmental indicators . 16
4.7.3 Issues for the development of social indicators . 16
4.7.4 Issues for the development of economic indicators . 17
5 Set of aspects and impacts. 18
5.1 General . 18
5.2 Description of environmental aspects and impacts . 19
5.2.1 General . 19
5.2.2 Water management . 19
5.2.3 Energy management . 20
5.2.4 Material management . 21
5.2.5 Waste management . 22
5.2.6 Emissions to environment (air, water and soil) . 23
5.2.7 Noise, vibrations and light impacts . 26
5.2.8 Landscape changes . 27
5.2.9 Ecosystem health. 27
5.2.10 Land use changes . 29
5.3 Description of social aspects and impacts . 29
5.3.1 General . 29
5.3.2 Accessibility . 29
5.3.3 Adaptability . 31
5.3.4 Population system . 32
5.3.5 Job creation . 33
iv © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
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ISO/PRF 21928-2:2023(E)
5.3.6 Cultural heritage . 33
5.3.7 Stakeholders’ involvement . 34
5.3.8 Human rights . 35
5.3.9 Resilience . 35
5.3.10 Health and comfort . 43
5.3.11 Impacts on the neighbourhood . 45
5.3.12 Maintenance and maintainability . 49
5.3.13 Safety/security . 49
5.3.14 Sourcing of materials and services . 50
5.3.15 Social equity . 51
5.4 Description of economic aspects and impacts . 51
5.4.1 General . 51
5.4.2 Life-cycle costs . 51
5.4.3 External costs . 52
5.4.4 Effects on local economy . 52
5.4.5 Sustainable funding . 53
5.4.6 Social internal rate of return . 53
5.4.7 Management mechanisms . 53
6 Development of a system of sustainability indicators . 53
6.1 General . 53
6.2 Rules for developing a system of indicators . 54
6.3 Usability of sustainability indicators . 55
6.4 Users of indicators . 55
7 Reporting and communication . 57
7.1 General . 57
7.2 Information on the report . 57
7.3 Statement of boundaries, scenarios used and additional functions considered in the assessment
58
7.4 Data sources . 58
7.5 Communication of assessment results . 58
7.5.1 General . 58
7.5.2 Simplifications and additional remarks . 59
Annex A (normative) Core indicators by civil engineering works (CEW) typology . 60
Annex B (informative) Cost and revenue categories . 73
Annex C (informative) Evaluation of risks . 77
Annex D (informative) Relation between the sustainability indicators in this document and the UN
Sustainable Development Goals . 79
Annex E (informative) Example of utilization of indicators for decision support in the selection of
alternatives in civil engineering projects . 82
Bibliography . 84
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved v
---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
ISO/PRF 21928-2:2023(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any
patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on
the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World
Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 59, Buildings and civil engineering works,
Subcommittee SC 17, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works.
This first edition cancels and replaces ISO/TS 21929-2:2015, which has been technically revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— — new indicators are provided;
— — core and additional indicators and some specific indicators for different typologies of CEW are
listed in Annex AAnnex A;;
— — the relationship between the indicators and United Nations SDGs (Sustainable Development
Goals) is addressed.
A list of all parts in the ISO 21928 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
vi © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO/PRF 21928-2:2023(E)
Introduction
This document describes and provides 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 civil engineering works. The issue of sustainable
development is broad and of global concern and, as such, involves all communities and interested
parties.stakeholders. 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 people live and work.
The built environment is highly important for sustainable development because:
— — it is a key sector in national economies;
— — it has a significant impact on 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 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.
In addition, these strategies can include poverty reduction, job creation, access to safe, affordable and
healthy shelter, and loss of livelihoods. These aspects are closely related to the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG). For this reason, in Annex DAnnex D,, the relation of the provided indicators to
these SDG is shown.
This document defines a framework for the development of sustainability indicators for civil engineering
works based on the premise that civil engineering works contribute to improving the economic, social
and environmental aspects at local, regional and global levels with minimum adverse impact. This
document follows the general principles presented in ISO 15392.
Indicators are figures or other qualitative or descriptive measures that enable information on a complex
phenomenon, such as, environmental impact, to be simplified into a form that is relatively easy to use and
understand.
The four main functions of indicators are quantification, simplification, communication and decision
making. Changes in a civil engineering works over time and the development of changes in relation to
stated objectives and targets should be monitored with the help of indicators.
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 several
interested partiesstakeholders, such as:
— — public bodies and policy makers;
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved vii
---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
ISO/PRF 21928-2:2023(E)
— — investors, owners and promoters;
— — planners, developers and designers;
— — governmental and non-governmental organizations (considering interest groups both at national
and at local level);
— — manufacturers of products;
— — contractors;
— — operators and maintainers;
— — users and other stakeholders who are given service by the infrastructure; and
— — local residents.
An example of utilization of indicators for decision support in the selection of alternatives is provided in
Annex EAnnex E.
Sustainability 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 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;
— — 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;
— — identifying critical trends, both positive and negative, in the development and operation of 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.
Aspects and impacts are the basis of the framework 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. The indicators developed
from these sets of aspects and impacts provide measures to express how the performance of a civil
engineering works contributes to sustainability and sustainable development. The indicators developed
based on these sets represent aspects of civil engineering works that potentially impact on issues of
concern related to sustainability and sustainable development.
The object of consideration in this document is a civil engineering works, a part of the civil engineering
works or a combination of several civil engineering works.
This document 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, ISO 21931--2,
viii © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
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ISO/PRF 21928-2:2023(E)
along with the terminology of sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works defined by
ISO/TR 21932. The relationship among these International standards is shown in Figure 1Figure 1.
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved ix
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ISO/PRF 21928-2:2023(E)
Figure 1 — Suite of related international standards for sustainability in buildings and civil
engineering works
Figure 2Figure 2 illustrates how the assessment of the environmental, economic and social performances
fits within the concept of the sustainability assessment of a civil engineering works.
NOTE The outer box with the redthick dotted line represents the area within the scope of this document.
Figure 2 — Concept of sustainability assessment of civil engineering works
x © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
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ISO/PRF 21928-2:2023(E)
Indicators related to technical and functional performance are beyond the scope of this document.
Technical and functional characteristics are taken into account here by reference to the functional
equivalent, which also forms a basis for comparison of the results.
This document supports the development of indicators as a basis for quantification of the contribution of
the assessed civil engineering works to sustainable construction and sustainable development.
Third parties’ expectations and needs include those from societal, NGOs and local communities.
Environmental, social and/or economic requirements for the civil engineering works (based on the
client´s brief, as part of third parties’ expectations and needs or imposed by regulation) are taken into
account. Thus, they are part of the communication and included in the report . However, they are not
assessed.
This document adapts general sustainability principles for civil engineering works and 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, this document goes
beyond the requirements of these standards.
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved xi
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ISO/PRF 21928-2:20222023(E)
Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works —
Sustainability indicators —
Part 2:
Framework for the development of indicators for civil engineering
works
1 Scope
This document establishes a set of common aspects and impacts for all typologies of civil engineering
works, and identifies core sets of environmental, social and economic aspects and impacts for each
typology of civil engineering works defined.
The common core set of aspects and impacts described in this document are applicable to all types of civil
engineering works. In addition, this document describes specific core sets of aspects and impacts for
different typologies of civil engineering works (industrial process infrastructures; linear infrastructures;
dams and other fluvial works; maritime works; public spaces; and other civil engineering works not
contained in the previous typologies).
Further, the document gives rules for establishing a system of indicators and describes how to use
sustainability indicators regarding civil engineering works.
This document does not provide guidelines for the weighting of indicators or the aggregation of
assessment results.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1996-2:2017, Acoustics — Description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise — Part 2:
Determination of sound pressure levels
ISO 2631 (all parts), Mechanical vibration and shock — Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body
vibration
ISO 6707-1:2017, Building 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 15392:2019, Sustainability in building constructionbuildings and civil engineering works — General
principles
ISO 15686-1:2011, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 1: General principles
and framework
ISO 15686-2,
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 21928-2
First edition
Sustainability in buildings and civil
engineering works — Sustainability
indicators —
Part 2:
Framework for the development of
indicators for civil engineering works
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
Reference number
ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
© ISO 2023
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 General rules for sustainability indicators development and its framework .8
4.1 General . 8
4.2 Life cycle approach . 9
4.3 Area of influence . 10
4.4 Civil engineering works typologies . 11
4.5 General principles and relationship to other relevant standards. 11
4.5.1 General principles and procedures . 11
4.5.2 ISO 15392 — General principles of sustainability in building construction .12
4.5.3 ISO 14000 — Management systems standards .12
4.5.4 ISO 26000 — Social responsibility standard .12
4.6 Requirements for the development of indicators . 13
4.7 Framework of sustainability indicators . 14
4.7.1 General . 14
4.7.2 Issues for the development of environmental indicators.15
4.7.3 Issues for the development of social indicators . 16
4.7.4 Issues for the development of economic indicators . 17
5 Set of aspects and impacts .17
5.1 General . 17
5.2 Description of environmental aspects and impacts . 18
5.2.1 General . 18
5.2.2 Water management . 18
5.2.3 Energy management . 20
5.2.4 Material management . 21
5.2.5 Waste management . .22
5.2.6 Emissions to environment (air, water and soil) .22
5.2.7 Noise, vibrations and light impacts . 26
5.2.8 Landscape changes . 26
5.2.9 Ecosystem health . 27
5.2.10 Land use changes .28
5.3 Description of social aspects and impacts .29
5.3.1 General .29
5.3.2 Accessibility .29
5.3.3 Adaptability . 31
5.3.4 Population system . 32
5.3.5 Job creation . 32
5.3.6 Cultural heritage .33
5.3.7 Stakeholders’ involvement.34
5.3.8 Human rights . 35
5.3.9 Resilience . 35
5.3.10 Health and comfort . 43
5.3.11 Impacts on the neighbourhood. 45
5.3.12 Maintenance and maintainability .49
5.3.13 Safety/security .49
5.3.14 Sourcing of materials and services .50
5.3.15 Social equity . 51
5.4 Description of economic aspects and impacts . 51
5.4.1 General . 51
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
5.4.2 Life-cycle costs . 51
5.4.3 External costs . 52
5.4.4 Effects on local economy . 52
5.4.5 Sustainable funding .53
5.4.6 Social internal rate of return . 53
5.4.7 Management mechanisms . . 53
6 Development of a system of sustainability indicators .53
6.1 General .53
6.2 Rules for developing a system of indicators .54
6.3 Usability of sustainability indicators . 55
6.4 Users of indicators .56
7 Reporting and communication .57
7.1 General . 57
7.2 Information on the report . 57
7.3 Statement of boundaries, scenarios used and additional functions considered in
the assessment . . .58
7.4 Data sources . .58
7.5 Communication of assessment results .58
7.5.1 General .58
7.5.2 Simplifications and additional remarks . 59
Annex A (normative) Core indicators by civil engineering works (CEW) typology .60
Annex B (informative) Cost and revenue categories .72
Annex C (informative) Evaluation of risks .77
Annex D (informative) Relation between the sustainability indicators in this document
and the UN Sustainable Development Goals .79
Annex E (informative) Example of utilization of indicators for decision support in the
selection of alternatives in civil engineering projects .82
Bibliography .84
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 59, Buildings and civil engineering works,
Subcommittee SC 17, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works.
This first edition cancels and replaces ISO/TS 21929-2:2015, which has been technically revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— new indicators are provided;
— core and additional indicators and some specific indicators for different typologies of CEW are
listed in Annex A;
— the relationship between the indicators and United Nations SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
is addressed.
A list of all parts in the ISO 21928 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
Introduction
This document describes and provides 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 civil engineering works. The issue of sustainable
development is broad and of global concern and, as such, involves all communities and stakeholders.
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 people live and work.
The built environment is highly important for sustainable development because:
— it is a key sector in national economies;
— it has a significant impact on 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 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.
In addition, these strategies can include poverty reduction, job creation, access to safe, affordable
and healthy shelter, and loss of livelihoods. These aspects are closely related to the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). For this reason, in Annex D, the relation of the provided
indicators to these SDG is shown.
This document defines a framework for the development of sustainability indicators for civil engineering
works based on the premise that civil engineering works contribute to improving the economic, social
and environmental aspects at local, regional and global levels with minimum adverse impact. This
document follows the general principles presented in ISO 15392.
Indicators are figures or other qualitative or descriptive measures that enable information on a complex
phenomenon, such as, environmental impact, to be simplified into a form that is relatively easy to use
and understand.
The four main functions of indicators are quantification, simplification, communication and decision
making. Changes in a civil engineering works over time and the development of changes in relation to
stated objectives and targets should be monitored with the help of indicators.
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
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
several stakeholders, such as:
— public bodies and policy makers;
— investors, owners and promoters;
— planners, developers and designers;
— governmental and non-governmental organizations (considering interest groups both at national
and at local level);
— manufacturers of products;
— contractors;
— operators and maintainers;
— users and other stakeholders who are given service by the infrastructure; and
— local residents.
An example of utilization of indicators for decision support in the selection of alternatives is provided
in Annex E.
Sustainability 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 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;
— 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;
— identifying critical trends, both positive and negative, in the development and operation of 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.
Aspects and impacts are the basis of the framework 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. The indicators developed
from these sets of aspects and impacts provide measures to express how the performance of a civil
engineering works contributes to sustainability and sustainable development. The indicators developed
based on these sets represent aspects of civil engineering works that potentially impact on issues of
concern related to sustainability and sustainable development.
vii
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ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
The object of consideration in this document is a civil engineering works, a part of the civil engineering
works or a combination of several civil engineering works.
This document 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, ISO 21931-2,
along with the terminology of sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works defined by
ISO/TR 21932. The relationship among these International standards is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — Suite of related international standards for sustainability in buildings and civil
engineering works
Figure 2 illustrates how the assessment of the environmental, economic and social performances fits
within the concept of the sustainability assessment of a civil engineering works.
viii
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---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
NOTE The outer box with the thick dotted line represents the area within the scope of this document.
Figure 2 — Concept of sustainability assessment of civil engineering works
Indicators related to technical and functional performance are beyond the scope of this document.
Technical and functional characteristics are taken into account here by reference to the functional
equivalent, which also forms a basis for comparison of the results.
This document supports the development of indicators as a basis for quantification of the contribution
of the assessed civil engineering works to sustainable construction and sustainable development.
Third parties’ expectations and needs include those from societal, NGOs and local communities.
Environmental, social and/or economic requirements for the civil engineering works (based on the
client´s brief, as part of third parties’ expectations and needs or imposed by regulation) are taken into
account. Thus, they are part of the communication and included in the report . However, they are not
assessed.
This document adapts general sustainability principles for civil engineering works and 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, this document goes
beyond the requirements of these standards.
ix
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21928-2:2023(E)
Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works —
Sustainability indicators —
Part 2:
Framework for the development of indicators for civil
engineering works
1 Scope
This document establishes a set of common aspects and impacts for all typologies of civil engineering
works, and identifies core sets of environmental, social and economic aspects and impacts for each
typology of civil engineering works defined.
The common core set of aspects and impacts described in this document are applicable to all types
of civil engineering works. In addition, this document describes specific core sets of aspects and
impacts for different typologies of civil engineering works (industrial process infrastructures;
linear infrastructures; dams and other fluvial works; maritime works; public spaces; and other civil
engineering works not contained in the previous typologies).
Further, the document gives rules for establishing a system of indicators and describes how to use
sustainability indicators regarding civil engineering works.
This document does not provide guidelines for the weighting of indicators or the aggregation of
assessment results.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1996-2:2017, Acoustics — Description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise — Part 2:
Determination of sound pressure levels
ISO 2631 (all parts), Mechanical vibration and shock — Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body
vibration
ISO 14020, Environmental labels and declarations — General principles
ISO 14040, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework
ISO 15392:2019, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works — General principles
ISO 15686-1:2011, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 1: General principles
and framework
ISO 15686-2, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 2: Service life prediction
procedures
ISO 15686-5:2017, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 5: Life-cycle costing
ISO 15686-7, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 7: Performance evalu
...
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