Support for EPA Low Embodied Carbon Program

The construction industry is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. While the industry has decreased emissions through operational efficiencies, emissions associated with construction materials have increased proportionally. As the demand for sustainable construction practices grows, there is an urgent need to develop strategies to reduce GHG emissions associated with the construction materials life cycle, including raw material extraction, materials production, transportation, and construction processes. This set of emissions is referred to collectively as “embodied carbon.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracted with ERG to provide a wide variety of support for its low embodied carbon program, Construction Material Opportunities to Reduce Emissions (C-MORE), including support for its labeling program to ensure that manufacturers can credibly report their embodied carbon emissions and compete in markets with climate smart goals.

ERG's Embodied Carbon Team, which specializes in tackling the challenge of reducing embodied carbon in construction materials, has been providing comprehensive support to EPA’s C-MORE program. Their work has included improving the quality of federal life cycle data; developing standardized criteria for product category rules and environmental product declarations; developing the C-MORE labeling program and conformity assessment system; establishing methodologies to create thresholds for labeling low-carbon products; and providing technical assistance resources and services to the program’s stakeholders. The program is expected to significantly reduce emissions by promoting informed procurement decisions in the construction sector.