4 Sectors Where EPDs Contribute to Sustainable Living

What does it really mean to produce sustainably? In today’s context, it's about understanding that every decision made in design, sourcing, manufacturing, distribution, and end-of-life treatment contributes to broader environmental outcomes that affect climate, ecosystems, and resource use. 

Producers across numerous sectors are increasingly turning to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) as a way to bring transparency to this process. EPDs make the invisible visible, offering reliable and comparable data about the environmental impact of products. This is important to empower customers, buyers, and public procurement officials to make more informed, conscious choices. 

From building and transportation to food and clothing, EPDs are helping industries rethink sustainability from the source. The following examples showcase how companies across four sectors are using Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and publishing their EPDs through EPD International to take real steps toward more sustainable production models.

Buildings

The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to climate impact, responsible for approximately 40% of global carbon emissions, while also generating significant material waste. Integrating sustainability into every stage of a building's life cycle remains a major challenge, but it’s also where EPDs can be a valuable asset. Today, the construction sector accounts for 80% of all EPDs in EPD International’s database. 

From small components like bolts to major structural elements, EPDs provide architects, engineers, and builders with reliable data they need to select materials with a lower carbon footprint. Beyond supporting individual product choices, EPDs are increasingly being used at the project level, supporting building-level life-cycle assessments. This systemic approach that covers every decision, from design and choice of materials to final construction, can contribute to achieving a lower environmental impact.  

This shift is especially evident in the Nordic countries, where mandatory climate declarations have either been introduced or are currently under development. For example, Sweden became the first country in the region requiring carbon declarations for new constructions in 2022, followed by Denmark in 2023 with the introduction of the first carbon limit for large buildings.   

As regulatory demands increase, the pressure on the construction industry to adapt is growing, and this is where EPDs provide valuable support. Building-level LCAs backed by EPDs enable companies to meet evolving standards and enhance their competitive edge by achieving green building certifications such as LEED and BREEAM. In this way, EPDs are becoming essential tools for shaping the future of sustainable construction.

Transport

Transport accounts for nearly a quarter of global energy-related CO₂ emissions, with urban mobility becoming one of today’s biggest challenges. Making mobility more sustainable involves rethinking how public transport vehicles are designed, from energy efficiency to the circularity of the materials used, ensuring easy recycling at the end of their service life. Two companies are already putting this vision into practice: 

Alstom

If you have taken the metro in cities like Sydney, Barcelona, or Stockholm, you have likely ridden an Alstom train. This French rail manufacturer moves millions of people daily and is a leader in low-impact mobility. For instance, the EPDs for their Barcelona metro S7000 and S8000 show a 94% and 95% rate of recyclability, respectively, resulting in a 96% recoverability rate of the materials. 

Volvo

Buses are the backbone of many public transport systems, and Volvo, a global supplier of electric and hybrid bus models, designs them with circularity in mind. For instance, their BZL SD electric bus is a standout: according to the EPD, over 94% of the chassis and 83% of the body are recyclable, resulting in material recovery rates of 99% and 96%, respectively. 

Food

The food industry is also a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, including everything from farming and processing to packaging and transport. EPDs help food companies measure and communicate their environmental footprint, making food production and sustainability efforts more transparent and accountable.  

These two companies from Southern Europe use EPDs to demonstrate their efforts in lowering the environmental impact of their products: 

Barilla

One of the world’s largest pasta brands, the Italian company Barilla is also known for its sauces, baked goods, cereals, and snacks. According to their latest sustainability report, Barilla is making significant efforts to reduce its environmental impact across its 21 brands, noting that 67% of raw materials come from sustainably managed supply chains, while 99% of packaging is made from responsibly sourced paper and is almost completely recyclable. Today, more than 100 Barilla products have a published EPD.

Thrace Greenhouses

This Greek company grows vegetables year-round using advanced hydroponic methods and renewable geothermal energy, achieving an almost zero carbon footprint. Their EPDs, covering products like cucumbers and tomatoes, reveal that upstream activities, such as raw material sourcing, are the most impactful. According to these products’ EPDs, the production methods save up to 60% more water than traditional farming, while geothermal energy meets 100% of their heating needs, significantly lowering overall emissions.  

Clothing

It is also important to consider the production practices behind everyday use items. Take clothing, for example. According to the UNEP, the textile industry alone is responsible for up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, consumes 215 trillion litres of water annually, and produces 92 million tonnes of waste each year. 

Given this impact, shifting toward more responsible and circular production models is more important than ever. EPDs can support this transition by making companies’ sustainability progress visible, especially in aspects like resource use reduction and material circularity across their supply chains. A Scandinavian company stands out as a strong example: 

Fristads

This Swedish workwear brand, sold in over 20 countries, was the first company in the world to adapt the EPD standard for clothing. Fristads creates durable, high-quality garments using recycled and repurposed materials, integrating sustainability throughout the entire production process, a move that supports the company’s broader environmental goals.

A shared responsibility

While producers play a critical role in driving the transition, the responsibility should not rest solely on their shoulders. Systemic change is possible if sustainability is integrated not only at the product level but also within broader decision-making structures. For instance, through regulatory frameworks that incentivise and enforce the adoption of more sustainable practices.  

In this context, EPDs are a valuable tool, serving as a bridge between practice and regulatory demands. By providing reliable and comparable environmental data, EPDs support informed decisions, facilitate compliance, and help align production with long-term sustainability goals. 

As demonstrated by the examples across these four areas, EPDs are proving to be effective instruments in advancing toward low-carbon, circular, and transparent production systems, helping to position companies at the forefront of the transition towards sustainability.

Author: Elisa Blanco