2.Backup_JSC_Presentation on low-carbon concrete_241023 — original pdf

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US EPA's Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials Program for City of Austin's Joint Sustainability Committee October 23, 2024 The U.S. Federal Government www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 2 2022 Inflation Reduction Act directed EPA to: Develop a determination for “Substantially Lower Embodied Carbon Construction Materials”​ for GSA & FHWA Provide grant funding and technical assistance to increase and improve environmental product declarations (EPDs) Create a label to help purchasers identify and procure lower embodied carbon construction materials www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 3 Why embodied carbon? Embodied carbon of construction materials accounts for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 4 Why embodied carbon? Embodied carbon of construction materials accounts for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 5 Range of Strategies to Reduce Embodied Carbon in the Market Energy Efficient Manufacturing (e.g., ENERGY STAR Industrial) Salvage & Reuse US & Locally Made Materials Material Efficiency Lower Carbon Input Materials Durable Materials (vs. High Replacement Rate) Recycled Content Bio-Based Materials Renewable & Lower Carbon Intensive Fuels Most strategies to reduce embodied carbon of construction materials take place long before they arrive at a construction site. www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 6 Quantifying & Reporting Embodied Carbon Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 7 Key LEC Program Elements www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 8 www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 9 Grant Selections – Texas NEW SLIDE •University of Texas – Austin (salvaged materials) •Knauf Insulation (insulation) •Heidelberg (cement/concrete) •Holcim (cement/concrete, asphalt) Read more about the above projects: Selected projects summaries www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 10 Interim Determination Overview “Substantially lower embodied carbon construction materials” as determined by EPA • Enables GSA & FHWA to implement their portions of the IRA • Defines “substantially lower embodied carbon construction materials” • Best performing 20% GHG emissions in CO2e (GWP per ISO 21930:2017)* • If not available in project location, best performing 40% • If not available in project location, better than estimated industry average *Because GWP is used in EPDs for construction products as an impact category (per ISO 21930), it was used in the Interim Determination as a proxy for embodied carbon. However, GWP is defined differently in other GHG accounting efforts. For clarity and consistency, EPA is exploring ways to better align terminology. Top 40% Top 20% Better than Industry Average www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 11 Initial Focus Materials The label program does not address what type of material should be used in a project -- it is limited to “like to like” comparisons. Additional materials may be added over time. Steel Asphalt Concrete Flat Glass www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 12 Label Program Implementation Approach Issued August 7, 2024 Target Largest GHG Emissions Initially focus on GHG emissions in the production stage, consistent with the Inflation Reduction Act and current data available in the market Highlight Top Performers Identify top performers using a tiered labeling format, informed by public input Ensure Data Consistency Labeled products will have EPDs built under North American PCRs Expand Over Time Allows products and materials to move through the process at their own speed and for additional products and materials to be added over time www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 13 Label Program Implementation Phases www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 14 Threshold Setting & Tiered Labeling Best Product GWP under a value, determined in Phase II, that represents the cutting edge of low carbon products available in the market. Better Good Product GWP under a value, determined in Phase II, that is lower than an industry and/or regional average but higher than the “best” product GWP value. Product GWP under a value, determined in Phase II, that is lower than an industry and/or regional average but higher than the “better” product GWP value. *Tier names subject to change. www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 15 Ways to act now: More on our website: epa.gov/greenerproducts/tools-resources-and-funding-opportunities NEW SLIDE Use the US General Service Administration's Sustainable Facilities Tool for Embodied Carbon Procurement Recommend FHWA's Low Carbon Transportation Materials grant program to city transportation department Contact EPA with questions or for direct technical assistance related to EPDs www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 16 Get Involved! Upcoming opportunities: Fall 2024: Access EPD Technical Assistance through EPA Late Spring - Spring 2025: Provide input on Draft Thresholds for first product type(s) Spring 2025: Provide input on label program Draft Conformity Assessment System www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 17 Stay in Touch Contact us for more info: epa.gov/form/embodied-carbon-questions epa.gov/greenerproducts Additional Resources: Label Program Implementation Approach Grant Project Summaries www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 18