ABSTRACT
Sustainability is the well considered use of materials and resources today for the benefit of the generations of tomorrow. No thinking about future issues can be complete without fully considering the implications of sustainable options. In particular, whole life assessment is crucial to the foundations of sustainability. At this stage of the early part of the twenty-first century, sustainability is one of the top-line subjects: not only does it involve the essential issues of carbon and climate change, it also focuses our attention on the use of raw materials, water and land. It is absolutely vital that when we expend resources, they must be employed well and to the maximum overall benefit. The role of whole life assessment value and cost is central to this task and must taken seriously.
