Embodied Carbon 101: Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)

Learn about using EPDs to reduce the embodied carbon impacts of a project.

Description: 

Learn what environmental product declarations (EPDs) are—plus how to write them, how to read them, and how to they can be integrated into your work to reduce the embodied carbon impacts of a project. Get familiar with the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) tool, including its applications and the limitations posed by available EPDs. Learn what it takes to create an EPD—whether you’re a manufacturer or an advocate—and learn what to focus on when you’re deciphering EPDs that others have written. Get introduced to the concept of biogenic carbon and how biogenic carbon in EPDs can help you to select carbon-smart materials,

Learning objectives

  • Define the terms “Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)” and “Life Cycle Assessment (LCA),” and explain the relationship between the two concepts.
  • Use the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) tool in order to determine the embodied carbon—and resultant environmental impact—of a project.
  • Explain how biogenic carbon is calculated in EPDs and identify materials with positive biogenic carbon content to reduce the net carbon footprint of a building.
  • Identify which information in an EPD will help one determine the embodied carbon of a material or product and its impact on a project.

This course is part of a series

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 $45  non-member
 $30  member
1.00 LU
  • HSW
  • RIBA

Instructors

  • Mikhail Davis Headshot

    Mikhail Davis

    Director, Technical Services | Interface

    Mikhail Davis is Director of Technical Sustainability at Interface. He is responsible for advancing...

  • Mark Kalin Headshot

    Mark Kalin

    FAIA

    President | Kalin Associates

    Since 1984, Kalin Associates has prepared specifications for over 4,000 projects worldwide, over...

  • Chris Magwood Headshot

    Chris Magwood

    Director | The Endeavour Centre

    Chris Magwood is obsessed with helping reverse climate change by making carbon-storing buildings...

  • Jesce Walz Headshot

    Jesce Walz

    Assoc. AIA

    Designer | Perkins&Will

    Jesce is a designer at Perkins&Will and a leader in embodied carbon advocacy. She approaches...