Major U.S. investment to boost low-carbon construction materials and EPD adoption

This initiative, part of a broader strategy to combat climate change, shows the U.S.’s determination to reduce embodied carbon in the construction industry by promoting the adoption of materials with environmental labels, known as environmental product declarations. These labels, EPDs in short, are verified documents that showcase the environmental performance of a product or material throughout its lifecycle. EPDs help construction professionals such as developers, contractors, and architects make informed decisions about the materials they choose for their projects and select products with low carbon footprints. It represents a significant step forward in reducing the embodied carbon associated with building materials and promoting the adoption of greener practices across the sector. 

Low-carbon materials to reduce embodied carbon in U.S. construction

Construction is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, primarily due to the energy-intensive processes involved in producing materials such as steel, cement, and concrete. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, construction materials used for buildings and built infrastructure account for more than 15% of total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.  

With this initiative, the U.S. administration aims to reduce the embodied carbon emissions of the built environment by promoting and adopting low-carbon materials. Embodied carbon is the “upfront carbon” that is generated before the building is used. It refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production, transportation, and disposal of building materials. By minimizing these emissions, the construction industry can significantly lower its overall carbon footprint.

The investment announced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is part of the administration's broader Federal Buy Clean Initiative. These efforts aim to revitalize the U.S. economy while promoting sustainable industrial practices among American manufacturers. By targeting the construction industry, the administration is focusing on a sector with considerable potential for carbon reduction and innovation in sustainable practices.

Reducing embodied carbon EPA investment — objectives & winners

The primary goal of this $160 million investment is to reduce the embodied carbon in construction materials. To achieve this, the EPA will allocate grants to key players within the industry, including manufacturers, builders, and researchers. These grants will support the development and adoption of low-carbon technologies and materials. The funding will also facilitate the creation and publication of environmental product declarations by private construction manufacturing companies.

The Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Construction Materials and Products grant program fits into the administration’s goals of reducing carbon emissions 50-52% by 2030 and achieving a net-zero emissions construction economy by 2050. According to the EPA deputy administrator, Janet McCabe, 38 out of 105 applicants have been chosen to receive funding. The grant awards range from $250,000 to $10 million.

Key areas of focus funded by the U.S. grants

1. Innovative materials development: Funding will be directed towards the research and development of new construction materials with lower carbon footprints. This includes alternatives to traditional materials such as cement and steel, which are known for their high emissions. 
   
   
2. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) research and creation of environmental product declarations (EPDs): LCA is a tool used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal, this information is then used to create an environmental product declaration (EPD) for said material. EPDs allow buyers to compare embodied carbon emissions along with other factors such as performance and price. 
   
   
3. Energy efficiency improvements: the grants will support projects that aim to reduce the energy consumption of these processes, thereby lowering the associated carbon emissions. This could involve the adoption of cleaner energy sources, the implementation of energy-efficient technologies, and the optimization of production methods.
   
   
4. Industry education and collaboration: The grants will facilitate partnerships between manufacturers, builders, and researchers. Additionally, funding is allocated to educational programs aimed at educating architects and engineers about working with low-carbon construction materials.

Here you can find a list of grant winners by the EPA.

What does the $160 million investment mean for EPD adoption in the U.S.?

By advancing LCA and EPD research, the initiative seeks to provide more accurate data and insights into the carbon impacts of different materials and processes, guiding informed decision-making within the industry and providing valuable data that can inform future policies and regulations.

The advancement of EPDs and their broader adoption by manufacturers of carbon-intensive materials such as concrete, steel, and glass is at the center of U.S. climate policy. Already in 2023, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) launched a pilot low-embodied carbon (LEC) program that resulted in the creation of 17,000 EPDs in just a year. With the adoption of stricter regulations making landfall in the U.S., the country is trying to keep up with stricter EU requirements that make the creation of EPDs mandatory in some countries.

The $160 million investment is expected to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings and infrastructure in the U.S. This, in turn, will contribute to the national goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. 

How One Click LCA can help you with EPDs for construction products?

LCAs and EPDs are essential for analyzing and minimizing the environmental impacts of products and processes throughout their entire lifecycles. One Click LCA is a global end-to-end sustainability platform for construction and manufacturing. The EPD Generator tools help manufacturers conduct accurate LCAs and create EPDs for any product category across the globe. A team of dedicated EPD experts can help you comply with local regulations and win procurement contracts and hours of on-demand training material.