Using LCA and EPD in Public
Procurement Within the Construction
Sector
Kristian Jelse and Kristof Peerens
Abstract Life cycle assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations
(EPDs) have long been pointed to as tools to be used in green public procurement
(GPP), but doing so in practice is challenging. How can such information be
requested without breaking some of the general principles for public procurement,
for example non-discrimination and transparency? This session was meant to give
insights from different stakeholders through five presentations providing different
perspectives on this issue. The individual presentations were followed up on by a
panel discussion.
1 Introduction
With the European Union being responsible for more than a third of global resource
consumption, 40% of global energy consumption, 36% of global carbon dioxide
emissions, and one third of global waste streams [1], there is an increasing need for
this region to take a leading position when it comes to reducing the overall environmental impact.
Specifically for the construction sector, energy efficient housing is one of the key
elements in being able to reduce Europe’s overall environmental impact, with studies
showing that the embodied energy in construction represents the amount of energy
equivalent to more than 75 years of heating [1]. The construction sector overall is more
than just housing, and each of the different components have a significant impact on the
environment. A rough estimate by the Norwegian authorities has shown that the yearly
carbon footprint of the public road system (including construction and maintenance)
K. Jelse (&)
EPD International AB, Stockholm, Sweden
e-mail: kristian@environdec.com
K. Peerens
3 M Belgium bvba/sprl, Diegem, Belgium
© The Author(s) 2018
E. Benetto et al. (eds.), Designing Sustainable Technologies,
Products and Policies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66981-6_55
499
Procurement Within the Construction
Sector
Kristian Jelse and Kristof Peerens
Abstract Life cycle assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations
(EPDs) have long been pointed to as tools to be used in green public procurement
(GPP), but doing so in practice is challenging. How can such information be
requested without breaking some of the general principles for public procurement,
for example non-discrimination and transparency? This session was meant to give
insights from different stakeholders through five presentations providing different
perspectives on this issue. The individual presentations were followed up on by a
panel discussion.
1 Introduction
With the European Union being responsible for more than a third of global resource
consumption, 40% of global energy consumption, 36% of global carbon dioxide
emissions, and one third of global waste streams [1], there is an increasing need for
this region to take a leading position when it comes to reducing the overall environmental impact.
Specifically for the construction sector, energy efficient housing is one of the key
elements in being able to reduce Europe’s overall environmental impact, with studies
showing that the embodied energy in construction represents the amount of energy
equivalent to more than 75 years of heating [1]. The construction sector overall is more
than just housing, and each of the different components have a significant impact on the
environment. A rough estimate by the Norwegian authorities has shown that the yearly
carbon footprint of the public road system (including construction and maintenance)
K. Jelse (&)
EPD International AB, Stockholm, Sweden
e-mail: kristian@environdec.com
K. Peerens
3 M Belgium bvba/sprl, Diegem, Belgium
© The Author(s) 2018
E. Benetto et al. (eds.), Designing Sustainable Technologies,
Products and Policies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66981-6_55
499