Road to sustainability: Understanding EPDs with Branchekataloget & One Click LCA

In June 2024, the Danish government announced a comprehensive tightening of the climate requirements for buildings, which will come into force July 1, 2025. The new regulations lower the CO2e limit value for different building types, and underscore the importance of using low-carbon construction materials to help reduce embodied emissions in a building. EPDs provide transparent information about a material's environmental performance, facilitating the selection of low-carbon materials and the supporting reduction of embodied carbon in buildings.

Acknowledging the increasing relevance of EPDs, One Click LCA has partnered with Branchekataloget, a key association representing the heating, ventilation, and sanitation sectors in Denmark. This partnership aims to streamline the EPD production process for Branchekataloget's members, facilitating easier compliance with the upcoming regulations.

This article provides insights from a webinar featuring experts from One Click LCA and Branchekataloget, focusing on the basics of EPDs and their pivotal role in greening the construction industry.

The strategic integration of EPDs

For Nikita Chajjer, Carbon Expert at One Click LCA, EPDs have the potential to transform sustainability reporting within the construction industry. The collaboration between One Click LCA and Branchekataloget represents a significant leap forward in addressing the complexities associated with emission data management. This partnership is strategically designed to lower the thresholds that have historically impeded the widespread adoption of EPDs, from cost prohibitions to technical complexities.

Key benefits of EPD integration:

1. Streamlined data management processes
2. Enhanced accessibility to critical environmental information
3. Cost-effective solutions for industry-wide implementation
4. Improved compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks

Branchekataloget's initiatives

Gry Middtun, Chief Advisor, and Rune Rugbjerg Lundsgaard, Business Development Manager at Branchekataloget, shed light on their organization's proactive approach to fostering transparency in emission data. Their strategy encompasses:

• Forging strategic partnerships to simplify EPD generation and implementation
• Enhancing the availability of product-specific environmental data
• Creating a competitive ecosystem where sustainability metrics drive market dynamics

By facilitating easier access to comprehensive EPDs, Branchekataloget is not only meeting current regulatory demands but is also setting new industry standards for environmental accountability.

One Click LCA: The sustainability platform for construction & manufacturing

One Click LCA offers a multifaceted platform that goes beyond simple EPD generation. Their advanced system provides:

1. Automated EPD generation: Streamlining the creation process for manufacturers with ready-to-use templates
2. Comparative analysis tools: Enabling detailed environmental impact assessments across materials and products
3. Data-driven decision making: Facilitating informed choices aligned with global sustainability benchmarks
4. Continuous innovation: Adapting to evolving industry needs and regulatory needs by constantly updating the EPD tools to comply with global requirements

This comprehensive approach helps stakeholders across the construction value chain to make sustainability-driven decisions with unprecedented precision and insight.

The broader impact and future trajectory

The integration of EPDs into standard construction practices represents a paradigm shift in how the industry approaches sustainability. As regulatory frameworks become increasingly stringent and market demand for eco-friendly solutions surges, proficiency in understanding EPDs will become a critical competitive advantage.

Future outlook:

• Regulatory compliance: EPDs will play a crucial role in meeting evolving environmental standards
• Market differentiation: Companies leveraging comprehensive EPD data will gain a significant edge in sustainability-focused markets
• Innovation catalyst: The demand for detailed environmental data will drive technological advancements in materials and construction methodologies
• Global standardization: EPDs will make it easier to compare construction materials internationally and encourage collaboration on sustainable building practices

Charting the path forward to lower emissions

The collaborative efforts of organizations like One Click LCA and Branchekataloget are pivotal in broadening access to sustainability tools. By understanding EPDs and providing user-friendly platforms for their generation and analysis, industry leaders are paving the way for a future where sustainable construction is not just an aspiration but a standard practice.