Methodological Challenges in Aligning EPDs with Whole Life Carbon Limits for Buildings: A B2B Approach

• Published in: IOP conference series. Earth and environmental science 2024-10, Vol.1402 (1), p.12025
• Main Authors: Brisson Stapel, Emilie, Balouktsi, Maria, Grau Sørensen, Christian, Birgisdottir, Harpa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Buildings; Complexity; Documentation; Emissions; Environmental performance; Environmental Product Declarations; Error analysis; Error correction; Greenhouse gases; Harmonisation; Life cycle analysis; Life cycle assessment; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); Life cycles; Modules; Reliability; Resource consumption; Uncertainty; Use-stage modules
• ISSN: 1755-1307; 1755-1315
• DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/1402/1/012025

The environmental performance from the materials used in buildings is pivotal in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector; buildings are in the top three of the world’s most significant contributors of GHG emissions and are responsible for one-fifth of the overall resource consumption. Alongside multiple countries enforcing legal GHG limits and requiring Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for new buildings, the availability of product-level environmental data, known as Type III Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) has increased exponentially. EPDs were originally used for Business-to-Business purposes but are now the main data source for building-level LCAs. However, this often comes with a large set of uncertainties, as EPDs are still evolving as a documentation approach, and not always readily applicable in the whole life cycle approach. There are a multitude of complex areas to engage into, this study focuses on how use-stage modules are documented in EPDs, and how varied approaches create further complexity and perils in relation to their use in LCA and regulations, in the sense of, potential leading to high uncertainties and wrongful interpretations. The study aims to address the methodological gaps associated with the use of EPDs as data inputs in legally binding LCA requirements particularly concerning modules B1-5, which constitute the embodied part of the use-stage. The findings reveal a significant margin of error if EPDs are not correctly implemented, underscoring the importance of the Business-to-Business documentation approach.