The use of EPD'S and the Role of Transparency in Sustainable Development-Understanding EPDs Handout

Understanding EPDs Handout

Pdf Summary

This document provides an overview of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and their importance in measuring and reducing the environmental footprint of products. EPDs are a way to transparently disclose environmental performance data and provide information about the energy and resource consumption, waste production, and impact measures associated with a product. They are a form of environmental product labeling that allows for unbiased and transparent information. EPDs are widely applicable and can be used by users to make informed decisions based on their own judgment criteria.<br /><br />The document also discusses the different types of eco-labels, including third-party certifications, self-declarations, and EPDs. EPDs are not certifications but rather statements of environmental facts. The document emphasizes the importance of EPDs being comparable and highlights the need for standardized EPD formats and metrics.<br /><br />The use of EPDs in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system is also discussed. LEED offers credits for the use of EPDs in building design, with the intention of motivating industry to conduct life cycle assessments (LCA) and make environmental improvements.<br /><br />The document also explores the process of creating EPDs, including the development of LCA data, establishment of international and national standards, and collaboration with program operators and verifiers. It also highlights the role of manufacturers in creating LCA data on products and using this data to drive product changes for smaller footprints.<br /><br />In conclusion, EPDs are a valuable tool for measuring and disclosing environmental performance data. While there are still challenges in making EPDs comparable and interpreting the data, they provide valuable information for sustainable decision-making.

Keywords

Environmental Product Declarations

EPDs

measuring environmental footprint

transparent disclosure

energy consumption

resource consumption

waste production

environmental product labeling

LEED green building rating system

sustainable decision-making