Over 80% of professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries state that environmental product declarations influence decisions over the purchasing of materials for building projects, a new report from One Click LCA has found.
The Carbon Experts Report for 2025 examined the positive impact of life-cycle assessments (LCAs) on reducing embodied carbon in construction, as well as the decisions influencing the choice of building materials.
It found that more than three fifths of respondents in the AEC sectors estimate that at least 10% of emissions can be cut through LCA implementation. Within this group, close to a third (31%) report reductions of up to 20%, while 23% indicate reductions of up to 30%.
One Click LCA, a sustainability platform for construction and manufacturing, said that its own research indicates that carbon emissions can be reduced by more than one-third if the lowest-carbon-emitting products are selected for all materials in a building.
Manufacturers supplying the AEC sectors also see an opportunity for carbon reduction in product development, with 86% expecting to cut emissions by up to 30%.
At the same time, regulatory gaps are seen as a potential barrier to progress, with 85% of AEC professionals stating that the absence of strong national regulations hinders effective carbon reduction efforts.
‘Call to action’
“The construction value chain is critical in our collective effort to address climate change,” commented One Click LCA’s founder and CEO, Panu Pasanen. “We hope these findings serve as a call to action for the industry and regulators.
“We are now at a tipping point where technology, market demand, and regulations are coming together to speed up sustainable practices across the construction value chain. The path to decarbonisation requires sustained commitment from all stakeholders.”
Environmental product declarations
According to the report, in addition to widespread LCA adoption, environmental product declarations (EPDs), which illustrate a product’s environmental impact and performance, are becoming increasingly critical in material selection and procurement decisions throughout the global construction industry.
Both manufacturers and AEC professionals recognise the role of EPDs in procurement decisions, with 89% and 83% of respondents acknowledging their influence, respectively. Nearly half of manufacturers see EPDs as improving market position, while almost 40% consider them necessary for competitiveness.
Respondents include professionals from the manufacturing sector and the architecture, engineering, and construction AEC industries, with the survey taken during October and November 2024. Read more here.
