💬 Open Discussion: Embodied Carbon Databases
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
The carbon intensity of building materials is defined as Embodied Carbon Coefficients (also known as carbon factors). The terms are used to express the measurement of the Global Warming Potential of the Green House Gases normalized to a metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (kgCO2e) against a point of reference, usually a unit of measurement that is also used to quantify the building material.
The Embodied Carbon Coefficients are regionally specific because they rely on statistical data collected from manufacturers of building products through EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations). Parameters like production method, recycled content, carbon-intensity of the power grid, transport distances from sourcing to plant, etc., have a considerable influence on the EC (Embodied Carbon) Coefficients of building materials.
There is no perfect database! Common issues include:
- Data incompleteness:
- missing categories of products
- data gaps in declared GWP (Global Warming Potential) values for other LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) stages
- no biogenic carbon accountability ("negative carbon")
- EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) Types:
- Some EPDs are product specific, calculated according to rigorous methodologies and specific to a single manufacturer or producer
- Some EPDs represent industry averages, based on a collection of similar products produced by different manufacturers.
- Some environmental data claims are not EPDs at all, but rather user-entered values that have not been validated and verified according to the scientific and rigorous processes of the industry.
- Poor documentation:
- Users often use their own logic for associations between input and targeted LCA material or find data elsewhere (public studies).
In addition, note that:
- Embodied carbon data for building materials can be product-specific, manufacturer specific, or represent an average of that type of product or material. As compared to a manufacturer’s own claims, a valid EPD is the most data-accurate source for carbon intensity, but it may be possible to create and reference custom data as part of an embodied carbon analysis.
- Databases have different formats, structures, and modes of access (file vs. API).
- Terms for commercial use vary and can change. A free database can become a paid one, for example.
- More detailed background information about the scientific and regulated methodologies necessary for manufacturers and policymakers to create a verified Environmental Product Declarations can be found in Carbon Leadership’s Guidance on Embodied Carbon Disclosure.
Given the boundaries of an early-stage carbon analysis, our initial focus and use of embodied carbon data is leveraging publicly available datasets, without paywalls, that have statistical data for product categories, based on Industry and Product EPDs.
However, we would like to share a preliminary and non-exhaustive list of global datasets that we think might help you get oriented and open the discussion around databases and studies that you trust when calculating the embodied carbon in your building design.
💬 💬 💬 Please take a few minutes to let us know if you find something is missing, inaccurate, or just feel free to share your thoughts about the challenges and wins you have when calculating embodied carbon of buildings.
|
|
|
|
|
Region |
Database |
Link (accessed Feb 2023) |
|
North America |
||
|
USA |
EC3 |
|
|
USA |
ASTM EPD |
https://www.astm.org/products-services/certification/environmental-product-declarations/epd-pcr.html |
|
Canada |
Canadian Raw Materials Database (CRMD) |
|
|
USA, Canada |
Sustainable Minds EPDs |
|
|
USA |
Tangible Materials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
South America |
||
|
|
Latin America Platform |
|
|
Europe |
||
|
Europe |
Materials 2050 |
|
|
France |
INIES - Les données environnementales et sanitaires de référence pour le bâtiment |
|
|
France |
Kompozite |
|
|
Germany |
Oekobaudat |
|
|
Holland |
Milieu database |
https://milieudatabase.nl/en/database/dutch-environmental-database/ |
|
Ireland |
Irish Green Building Council |
|
|
Italy |
EPD Italy |
|
|
Norway |
EPD Norge |
|
|
Spain |
Agenda de la construccio sostenibile |
|
|
Spain |
Spanish Green Building Council |
http://materiales.gbce.es/declaracion-ambiental-de-productos/ |
|
Sweden |
The International EPD System |
https://www.environdec.com/library?search_type=simple&Category=7764 |
|
Switzerland |
Ecoinvent |
|
|
UK |
Built Environment Carbon |
|
|
UK |
ICE database |
https://circularecology.com/embodied-carbon-footprint-database.html#.XlALNC2cZYK |
|
UK |
GreenBook Live - BRE Verified |
|
|
Asia |
||
|
Turkey |
EPD Turkey |
|
|
Australia/Oceania |
||
|
Australia, |
EPD Australasia |
|
|
Australia |
EPiC database |
https://melbourne.figshare.com/articles/book/EPiC_Database/10257728 |
