One Click LCA, which develops software to enable builders and manufacturers to track and reduce their carbon footprint, announced that it has acquired ENVI-met, which provides software for microclimate simulation in construction and other industries. The acquisition will enable One Click LCA to expand the footprint of its life cycle assessment (LCA) software, enabling builders, architects, urban planners, manufacturers and others to calculate the environmental impact of their building and infrastructure projects. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The new acquisition will help One Click LCA address a growing problem of urban “heat islands.” According to the United Nations Environment Program, the world’s cities are heating up at twice the global average rate due to the urban heat island effect as glass surfaces and heat-trapping materials like asphalt, concrete, and steel create urban heat waves, leading to increasing heat stress. It is projected that by 2050, 1.6 billion urban dwellers will face extreme heat, health, and economic impact. In the United States alone, extreme heat already costs the economy $100 billion annually and is projected to increase to $500 billion by 2050.

Panu Pasanen, CEO & Founder, One Click LCA, said:

“ENVI-met is the undisputed leader in microclimate simulation, established through scientific rigor and innovation to create better urban environments. Together with ENVI-met we bring our clients advanced capabilities to address climate resilience.  By integrating ENVI-met’s powerful microclimate simulation tools with One Click LCA’s existing sustainability platform, we offer urban planners, architects, and developers a novel toolkit to create more sustainable, resilient, and healthy urban spaces.”

ENVI-Met’s platform is designed to help architects, urban planners, and developers choose materials that will reduce this heat effect. ENVI-met’s 3D modeling software simulates how buildings, vegetation, and materials interact with natural elements like wind and sunlight. Based on over 20 years of research, the technology provides detailed insights into the microclimatic effects of urban design choices.

ENVI-Met will join the family of One Click LCA’s offerings. The One Click LCA platform is used in over 170 countries and enables manufacturers, consultants, designers, contractors, and investors to decarbonize along the entire construction value chain. The platform can be used for buildings, infrastructure, renovations, construction products and materials. The platform incorporates a constantly updated database of hundreds of thousands of data points to enable users to keep track of the carbon footprint of the materials and methods they are using. The platform also incorporates Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) data from around the world, enabling users to comply with regulations as required.

Daniela Bruse, CEO & Co-founder, ENVI-met, said:

“By combining ENVI-met’s environmental simulations with One Click LCA’s life-cycle assessment tools, we’re setting a new standard in sustainable urban planning. Our customers will now have the tools to improve thermal comfort, reduce urban heat, and lower the carbon footprint of entire neighborhoods, helping cities adapt to climate change.”