Global warming potentialGWP

The total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by a product, organisation, activity or service, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent. Product carbon footprints are normally calculated using life cycle assessment methods over a defined system boundary.

An independently verified document that reports the environmental impacts of a product, based on a life cycle assessment carried out to agreed product category rules. For construction products, EPDs are typically produced to EN 15804, giving specifiers comparable data on embodied carbon and other impact categories.

A standardised method, set out in ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, for quantifying the environmental impacts of a product or system across its life, from raw material extraction through manufacture and use to end-of-life. LCA results underpin environmental product declarations and embodied carbon calculations used in material selection.

The greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing a material or product, covering raw material extraction, processing, manufacture and transport, and in whole-building assessments also construction, maintenance and end-of-life stages. It is expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent and is commonly reported through environmental product declarations.