# Welcome

This is a space for helping you use and understand Building Transparency's suite of tools, including:

<table><thead><tr><th width="103.33333333333331" align="center"></th><th width="100" align="center"></th><th width="237.66323907455018"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><img src="https://3092112806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FPDhVD99RBnS0Qy4HvVPO%2Fuploads%2FBh0ZY7Tvsky4FqCpZSp4%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bd2a4723-ec8a-4473-929b-d181c2d2e83b" alt=""></td><td align="center"><a href="ec3/getting-started">EC3</a></td><td>Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator</td><td><strong>Upfront Carbon</strong> Assessment*<br>Free to use | Open access</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><img src="https://3092112806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FPDhVD99RBnS0Qy4HvVPO%2Fuploads%2FxENwUNXkNQ894igO2Pl1%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9c6d8a6b-236e-4e28-b4c6-70da5146b660" alt=""></td><td align="center"><a href="https://www.choosetally.com/">tallyLCA</a></td><td>tally Life Cycle Assessment<br>(the original tally)</td><td><strong>Whole Life Impact</strong> Assessment*<br>Revit plugin | Trial + License</td></tr></tbody></table>

Due to the ever-changing nature of the tools, this User Guide is continually a work in progress.

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<summary>*Differences in Scope Explained</summary>

<mark style="color:blue;">**Upfront vs. Whole Life**</mark>

Upfront assessments only account for life cycle stages that can be measured upfront. Whole Life assessments also account for future use-stage and end-of-life aspects anticipated based on current trends.

<img src="https://3092112806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FPDhVD99RBnS0Qy4HvVPO%2Fuploads%2Fq1mjcmWVo4bSrJRdXWdU%2FGeneral%20life%20cycle%20stage%20scope.png?alt=media&#x26;token=21ed1cc5-1244-4495-93fb-41113f7f2ca7" alt="" data-size="original">

<mark style="color:purple;">**Carbon vs. Multiple Impacts**</mark>

Carbon assessments consist of tracking only the following impact category:

* Global warming potential (GWP) measured in kgCO2e

Complete Life Cycle Assessment usually also considers other impact categories, such as, but not limited to, the following:

* Acidification potential (AP)
* Eutrophication potential (EP)
* Ozone depletion potential (ODP)
* Smog potential (SP)

Life Cycle Assessments also usually report non-impact categories, such as depletion of resources and generation of waste.

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