Otero, M.S.; Garnica, T.; Montilla, S.; Conde, M.; Tenorio, J.A. Analysis of Sectoral Environmental Product Declarations as a Data Source for Life Cycle Assessment. Buildings2023, 13, 3032.
Otero, M.S.; Garnica, T.; Montilla, S.; Conde, M.; Tenorio, J.A. Analysis of Sectoral Environmental Product Declarations as a Data Source for Life Cycle Assessment. Buildings 2023, 13, 3032.
Otero, M.S.; Garnica, T.; Montilla, S.; Conde, M.; Tenorio, J.A. Analysis of Sectoral Environmental Product Declarations as a Data Source for Life Cycle Assessment. Buildings2023, 13, 3032.
Otero, M.S.; Garnica, T.; Montilla, S.; Conde, M.; Tenorio, J.A. Analysis of Sectoral Environmental Product Declarations as a Data Source for Life Cycle Assessment. Buildings 2023, 13, 3032.
Abstract
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology is increasingly prevalent in the quantification of environmental status in the building sector, following new legislative frameworks. Countries need to quantify and assess their environmental impacts as a previous base for regulation and decision making. In this context, standardised national data sets are being developed, based on consensus with manufacturers: sectoral Environmental Product Declarations. This study focuses on assessing these EPDs with the aim of providing relevant information for global decision-making, focusing on consistency and pointing out shortcomings. An assessment has been carried out both at national level, considering all sectoral EPDs and declared products, and at international level, with three common building materials (brick, steel and concrete). The results highlight the lack of traceability in the development and assessment of uncertainty, resulting in substantial discrepancies in reported impacts, especially in the later stages of the life cycle (up to 90% difference). Meanwhile, impacts such as Global Warming Potential or total renewable and non-renewable primary energy use show homogeneous values in the cradle-to-gate stages with differences generally less than 10%. The analysis of sectoral EPDs should be a design guide with environmental sustainability criteria, as the last section of this study attempts to focus on.
Engineering, Architecture, Building and Construction
Copyright:
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