As we get better at tackling operational carbon (think energy bills), we are shifting our attention toward embodied carbon. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are a vital tool for architects and developers to reduce carbon embodied emissions in their projects. An EPD is a comprehensive report that provides transparent and verified information on the environmental impact of a product, such as a building material or system. It includes data on the resource consumption, emissions, and waste generated during the product's lifecycle. We will review this information to enable architects and developers to make informed decisions about the products they specify and use in their projects. By utilizing EPDs, architects and developers can reduce the carbon emissions of their projects by selecting materials and systems with lower environmental impacts. They can also compare different products and choose the ones with the lowest environmental impact, promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach. Furthermore, EPDs can help architects and developers meet sustainability requirements and certifications, such as LEED, GreenStar Homes and BREEAM. Incorporating EPDs in every stage of a project, from design to construction and operation, can help architects and developers optimize the environmental performance of their projects. This includes specifying products with low environmental impact, monitoring and reducing resource consumption, and managing waste and emissions. By doing so, architects and developers can contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet. Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in* GBCI LEED Accredited Professional HOMES & BD+C Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW) Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP) Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials, Water, Place American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD) State Architect / Builder License may be applicable Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier Passive House Consultant US (CPHC) Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) Speaker: Dr. Annick Anctil is an associate professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University, where she leads research on Sustainable Energy Systems. She holds a BE and MS in Materials Engineering and a PhD in Sustainability. The core of her research is evaluating the environmental impact of photovoltaics and battery technologies. She uses life cycle assessment to identify critical steps in current technologies and guide greener alternatives by combining theoretical and experimental environmental assessment. She is the assistant director of the DOE-MSU Industrial Assessment Center and received an NSF CAREER award in 2021 to work on the impact of the solar photovoltaics industry in the US. At MSU, she teaches classes on sustainability and life cycle assessment of energy and received the Withrow Teaching Award in 2020. Chris Erickson, CEO and co-founder, Climate Earth, Inc. Following over 25 years in Silicon Valley as a vice president of a Fortune 500 company and CEO of four successful software startups, Chris founded Climate Earth to transform the discipline of LCA from a manual labor intensive process to an automated and business friendly process. Climate Earth’s network of cloud based EPD generators for ready mix, cement, and masonry now operate in over 1,000 plants in North America, Europe and Asia. Climate Earth’s goal is to place digital EPD data at the fingertips of the concrete industry to accelerate innovation in the emerging low carbon construction industry. Chris holds a BA in Economics and an MBA from the University of California, Haas School of Business. Lessons Learned 1. Understand reducing carbon embodied emissions through the use of EPDs, architects and developers can promote the health of our planet and meet LEED BD+C V4 Homes IN Building product disclosure and optimization - EPDS Credits 2. Review the utilization EPDs in every stage of a project can help architects and developers optimize the welfare of the environment and achieve LEED BD+C V4 New Construction Building product disclosure and optimization - EPDS Credits 3. Determine how incorporating EPDs can help architects and developers meet sustainability requirements and certifications, promoting both safety and sustainability while obtaining LEED BD+C V4 Homes IN Building product disclosure and optimization - EPDS Credits. 4. Analyze how materials and systems with lower environmental impacts, architects and developers can contribute to the long-term health, welfare, and safety of our planet.