Designing a Low-Carbon Future

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why does low-carbon design matter?

  Low-carbon design is crucial in addressing climate change. The built environment is responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, and material choices significantly impact a project’s carbon footprint. Prioritizing low-carbon products reduces embodied carbon, supports sustainable construction practices, and helps architects and manufacturers meet increasingly strict environmental regulations. Designing with carbon awareness contributes to healthier communities and a more resilient planet.

• What is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?

  An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized document that provides transparent, verified data about the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle. Based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), an EPD details factors such as Global Warming Potential (GWP), energy use, resource consumption, and emissions. EPDs empower professionals to make more sustainable, informed choices by allowing reliable comparisons between similar products.

• Do Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) matter?

  Yes. EPDs are essential tools for sustainable design and responsible manufacturing. They offer credible, third-party verified data on a product’s environmental performance, enabling designers, specifiers, and developers to lower the environmental impact of their projects. EPDs support green building certifications (like LEED, BREEAM, or DGNB) and align with global sustainability goals. For manufacturers, EPDs also serve as a competitive advantage by showcasing commitment to transparency and sustainability.

• How can I share my EPD on Archello?

  To share an EPD on Archello:

  1. Log in to your manufacturer account.

  2. Add or edit a product listing.

  3. In the new EPD section, upload your EPD file(s).

  4. Once uploaded, the EPD will be processed, and a summary will be automatically displayed on your product page.

  You will receive a notification once the product with EPD data has been reviewed and published.

• What if I don’t have EPDs yet?

  If you don’t yet have EPDs, you can still enrich your product listing with:

  - BIM files

  - Technical specifications

  - Product catalogues

  - Certifications and other relevant data

  You can update your products with EPDs at any time. When you obtain them, simply log in and add them through the EPD upload feature.

• How can I find EPDs for products I want to use?

  When browsing products on Archello, those with EPDs display a GWP Total (Global Warming Potential) directly in the results view, helping you quickly assess environmental impact. On each product page:

  • A downloadable EPD is available
  • Key EPD data is summarized for quick reference
  • A link to the full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) table is included for deeper analysis

  Enhanced filters will be available soon, allowing you to sort and compare products based on performance data such as LCA metrics, GWP Total, and more—making it even easier to align material choices with sustainability goals.

• Can I request EPDs if a product on Archello doesn’t have one yet?

  Yes! If a product doesn’t yet feature an EPD, you can use the request feature on the product page to contact the manufacturer. Archello will forward your message and encourage the manufacturer to upload the EPD directly.

• How do I share low-carbon design information for my projects?

  As an architect, you can now share key sustainability data directly through your account. Upload information about your project’s carbon footprint to help others learn from your design choices.

  You can include:

  - Embodied carbon (carbon footprint of materials used, measured per gross floor area)

  - Operational emissions (energy use during the building's life)

  - Services and maintenance emissions

  - End-of-life emissions (afterlife considerations)

  - Key products or materials that were essential in achieving a low-carbon design

  ...and much more.

   

  Explore the new Sustainability section in your architect account to get started.
  Check out our homepage for inspiration—new sustainable project examples are added daily!

• What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and why does it matter in construction?

  Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a scientific approach used to measure the environmental impact of a product or material across its entire life—from resource extraction to manufacturing, transportation, use, and eventual disposal or recycling. In the construction industry, LCA helps architects, engineers, and developers make informed decisions that reduce carbon emissions and resource consumption, leading to more sustainable building practices.

• What are the A1–A3 stages in LCA, and how do they influence sustainability?

  The A1–A3 stages—known collectively as the “Product Stage”—represent the early phases of a building material’s life cycle:

  - A1: Raw material sourcing and extraction

  - A2: Transportation to manufacturing facilities

  - A3: Manufacturing of the final construction product

  These stages are critical because they typically account for the majority of a product’s carbon footprint. Focusing on these phases enables project teams to choose low-impact materials and optimize sourcing and manufacturing practices to reduce overall emissions.

• How can choosing the right materials lower a project's environmental impact?

  Selecting environmentally responsible materials can significantly reduce emissions in the A1–A3 stages. For example, using recycled or locally sourced products cuts down on extraction and transport emissions. Additionally, opting for materials that require less energy to produce minimizes the carbon intensity of manufacturing. Thoughtful material selection not only supports sustainability goals but can also contribute to certifications like LEED or BREEAM.

• Are EPDs available for all architectural products?

  While the availability of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) is expanding, they are not yet published for all architectural products. However, the push for material transparency in the built environment is driving steady growth in EPD offerings. Many manufacturers of finishes, façades, insulation, glazing, and other specification-critical products are increasingly providing EPDs. Additionally, green building standards and local regulations are beginning to require or reward the use of EPDs, making them a valuable tool in sustainable architectural design and product selection.