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EPA is implementing a multi-pronged program to support construction product manufacturers in lowering operating costs, achieving efficiencies and accessing new markets while helping federal purchasers and other buyers find cleaner, more climate-friendly construction materials. The production of these materials accounts for 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. 

Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production (the extraction, transport, and manufacturing) stages of a product’s life. (Many initiatives to track, disclose, and reduce embodied carbon emissions also consider emissions associated with the use of a product and its disposal.)

Embodied Carbon of Construction Materials

In addition to the environmental benefits, U.S. manufacturers who address embodied carbon can lower operating costs, achieve efficiencies and access new markets. 

Municipalities, states and the federal government have implemented “buy clean” policies to encourage the purchase of lower-carbon versions of these products. 

In the United States, billions of tons of concrete, asphalt, steel, glass and other construction materials and products are used annually to construct, maintain, and operate roads, highways, bridges, offices, and houses, schools, and parks, among other infrastructure. While construction materials and products have numerous social and economic benefits, they currently have significant environmental costs:

• The U.S. industrial sector, which includes manufacturing, is linked to more than 30% of annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
• Worldwide, the manufacture of construction materials and products accounts for 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.

​​​​​Manufacturer Benefits of Lowering Embodied Carbon

• Respond to customer demand and meet public and private sector requirements for EPDs.
• Gain market advantage by differentiating your product.
• Understand the environmental impacts of your products and identify opportunities to reduce those impacts to improve sustainability and competitiveness – often while saving money.

Four Key Materials

Under this program, EPA is focusing on a subset of construction materials because of the high greenhouse gas emissions associated with their production and the large quantities purchased by the federal government:  

• Concrete 
• Glass 
• Asphalt 
• Steel 

Additionally, EPA is examining strategies to further reduce embodied greenhouse gas emissions through the use of other materials, including salvaged and reused materials, aluminum and wood.

How Can Public Procurement Incentivize Purchases of Lower Carbon Construction Materials?

The U.S. federal government is the world’s largest purchaser, spending approximately $730 billion every year on goods and services. In fact, approximately half of the concrete produced in the United States is used for publicly funded projects. The power of federal purchasing can be used to move markets towards more environmentally preferable options.

Collaborative Buy Clean efforts leverage their procurement power to support manufacturers while making historic investments to upgrade U.S. transportation, buildings and energy infrastructure. Generally, participation in these programs requires manufacturers to disclose the environmental - and especially the embodied carbon - impacts of their products. These impacts are typically disclosed via environmental product declarations (EPDs).

EPA and partner agencies are developing strategies to support enhanced standardization, measurement, reporting and verification of EPDs to drive the market for lower embodied carbon construction materials.

Learn about the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which addresses embodied carbon in construction materials.

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