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Learn more about the latest low-carbon materials-related news and updates in the construction industry

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Sustainability

Steel Product EPDs in Australia: Where are we?

Steel is a cornerstone of Australia's building, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors. Despite the country's well-established steel industry, a gap persists between local production and total consumption, necessitating substantial imports. In 2023, Australia’s net import of steel products exceeded 1 million tonnes, accounting for approximately 15% of total consumption. While steel plays an essential role in modern construction, it is also a major contributor to embodied carbon in the built environment. This makes accurate carbon measurement of steel products—especially imported materials—a crucial aspect of sustainable construction practices in Australia. Without reliable data, project teams may struggle to assess and mitigate the environmental impact of their material choices.

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Sustainability

The Landscape of Concrete EPDs in Australia and New Zealand

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) have become an essential tool in the Australian construction industry, particularly within the concrete sector. As sustainability and carbon reduction efforts gain traction, EPDs provide a standardised way to assess and compare the environmental impact of different concrete products. This article explores the current state of concrete EPDs in Australia and New Zealand, including the number of registered EPDs, the leading suppliers, and their role in sustainable construction.

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Sustainability

Understanding EPDs in the Australian Construction Industry: Benefits, Content, and Challenges

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardised document that provides transparent, verified information about the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifecycle. It is based on the principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and follows international standards such as ISO 14025 and EN 15804. In Australia, EPDs are increasingly important in the construction industry, helping architects, engineers, contractors, and developers select materials with lower environmental footprints, supporting sustainable building practices, and complying with regulatory requirements such as the National Construction Code (NCC) and Green Star rating system.

The Data Quality Dilemma in Embodied Carbon Accounting Image
Sustainability

The Data Quality Dilemma in Embodied Carbon Accounting

Embodied carbon makes up 16% of Australia’s built environment emissions, but this number could rise to 85% as operational energy efficiency improves, making its accurate measurement critical for achieving climate goals. Yet, there are key issues with the prevailing methods of calculating these emissions, which may undermine sustainable building practices and hinder the transition towards a decarbonised built environment.

LCMH Database Summary 03/2025
Sustainability

Database v3 is here – Open Access for Everyone!

At Low Carbon Materials Hub (LCMH), we believe that better access to material environmental data is key to driving real change in the built environment. That’s why we’re excited to launch LCMH Database Version 3—a major upgrade designed to empower industry professionals with the data they need, when they need them.

Introducing Database Version 2
Sustainability

Introducing Database Version 2

Explore our enhanced database with 5,000+ new EPDs, advanced benchmarking tools, and improved project management features for smarter, sustainable material sourcing.