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Environmental Product Declarations as Data Source for the Environmental Assessment of Buildings in the Context of Level(s) and DGNB: How Feasible Is Their Adoption?

Author

Listed:
  • Pamela Del Rosario

    (Institute of Sustainability in Civil Engineering (INaB), RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Elisabetta Palumbo

    (Institute of Sustainability in Civil Engineering (INaB), RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Marzia Traverso

    (Institute of Sustainability in Civil Engineering (INaB), RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen, Germany)

Abstract

This study aims to examine the feasibility of using environmental product declarations (EPDs) as a data source for life-cycle assessment (LCA) in two sustainable building assessment schemes–the pilot version of the European framework Level(s) and the German system DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen). An EPD is a standardized and third-party certified label to communicate product-specific environmental data based on LCA. Some green building rating systems consider it a robust LCA data source and encourage its use over generic data. This work evaluates the environmental profile of the envelope of an office building in the context of level(s) and DGNB adopting EPD as a data source. The results indicate that the EPDs did not cover the mandatory scope of the schemes. Furthermore, there was a lack of EPDs appropriate to the geographical context of the case study, leading to the adoption of EPDs of products from places other than the building site and an overestimation of the environmental impacts of transportation. Moreover, the need for EPDs considering suitable and comprehensive scenarios as well as life-cycle stages beyond the product stage is highlighted. This gap, in fact, hinders the performance of a complete LCA within the analyzed building assessment schemes when relying solely on EPDs as a data source. With this paper, we wish to encourage the further development of EPDs related to the integration of more life-cycle modules and more comprehensive scenarios, considering the direction of the latest amendment of the ISO 15804 for EPDs of construction products.

Suggested Citation

  • Pamela Del Rosario & Elisabetta Palumbo & Marzia Traverso, 2021. "Environmental Product Declarations as Data Source for the Environmental Assessment of Buildings in the Context of Level(s) and DGNB: How Feasible Is Their Adoption?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6143-:d:565263
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    4. Yousif Jaleel & Mohd Saidin Misnan & Mohamad Zahierruden Ismail, 2024. "Environment Product Declaration (EPD) in Construction Industries: Significance and Barriers," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(6), pages 1355-1365, June.
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    6. Borja Izaola & Ortzi Akizu-Gardoki & Xabat Oregi, 2022. "Life Cycle Analysis Challenges through Building Rating Schemes within the European Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-24, April.
    7. Ren, Lei & Zhou, Sheng & Ou, Xunmin, 2023. "The carbon reduction potential of hydrogen in the low carbon transition of the iron and steel industry: The case of China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    8. Rayane de Lima Moura Paiva & Lucas Rosse Caldas & Adriana Paiva de Souza Martins & Patricia Brandão de Sousa & Giulia Fea de Oliveira & Romildo Dias Toledo Filho, 2021. "Thermal-Energy Analysis and Life Cycle GHG Emissions Assessments of Innovative Earth-Based Bamboo Plastering Mortars," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-24, September.
    9. Jacek Michalak, 2021. "External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) from Industry and Academia Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-18, December.
    10. Apostolopoulos, Vasilis & Mamounakis, Ioannis & Seitaridis, Andreas & Tagkoulis, Nikolas & Kourkoumpas, Dimitrios-Sotirios & Iliadis, Petros & Angelakoglou, Komninos & Nikolopoulos, Nikolaos, 2023. "Αn integrated life cycle assessment and life cycle costing approach towards sustainable building renovation via a dynamic online tool," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).

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