In a significant move towards achieving sustainable development goals in the construction industry, the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has announced the launch of the first low-carbon rating system for building products, including cement and concrete. This new system, introduced as Low Carbon Ratings (LCR), is designed to support the selection of sustainable building materials and reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects.
This innovative system ranks materials on a scale from AA to G, enabling the evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production of cement and concrete. The rating is based on the carbon footprint of the products and helps designers, architects, engineers, and developers make more informed and responsible choices when selecting building materials.
The GCCA has stated that the LCR rating system can be used alongside Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), which provide verified and credible information about the environmental impacts of each product. This system is also adaptable to the carbon accounting rules and practices of different countries, including the UK.
In this new system, the embodied carbon in building products is defined in measurable and quantifiable terms. This value is calculated in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne of cement and per cubic meter of concrete (ECO2e/m³). This index, also known as Global Warming Potential (GWP), serves as an accurate measure for assessing and comparing the environmental performance of building materials.
With the increasing demand for sustainable building materials and strengthened carbon emissions reduction policies, the introduction of this system could mark a turning point for the construction industry. Tools like the LCR rating system not only enhance transparency in the materials supply chain but also help motivate producers to reduce carbon emissions.
It is expected that with the widespread adoption of this system, the future of construction will shift towards the use of low-carbon cement and concrete, further emphasizing the role of sustainable architecture.