The EPD of your concrete: a future entry point to supply the Government of Canada
The federal government is committed to fighting climate change on several fronts. In particular, it plans that from 2021, all concrete used in public construction and infrastructure projects will have to be made of low-carbon cement. If this directive is implemented, companies will have to provide an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) that proves their compliance, in order to sell their concrete to the federal government.
Take the necessary steps now to be compliant, and thereby stand out as an approved supplier to both the Government of Canada and to foreign markets.
The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is internationally recognised and is a proven way to measure the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle. CT Consultant has the expertise required to perform this type of assessment and to support your company throughout the process.
This article will provide answers to many of your questions. We hope this will enable you to make an informed choice for your business.
Why is the Government of Canada targeting cement and concrete?
What changes has the government announced?
What does this actually mean for construction companies?
How will the government ensure that the product meets the standard requirements?
What are the benefits of compliance?
Who to contact to produce an environmental product declaration (EPD)?
Why is the Government of Canada targeting cement and concrete?
Concrete is a versatile and durable material. It can be found in most of our homes and in many infrastructures and public buildings.
Mainly because of the cement concrete contains, its production is one of the world’s most important sources of carbon dioxide (CO2). Every year, more than 4 billion tons of cement are produced, with most of the production used to make concrete. (Chatham House, 2018).
In fact, the chemical and thermal combustion processes that take place during manufacturing are a major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and cement is considered to also be responsible for 8% of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Why should we limit greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions?
GHG emissions have an impact on the environment, human health, and the economy. They are responsible for global warming, the cause of extreme weather events and natural ecosystems’ imbalance. In certain economic sectors of Quebec such as agriculture, forestry, and tourism, we have now begun to experience the impact of global warming.
A global consensus
There is now a global scientific consensus on the need to take action to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that their impacts do not worsen.
According to Claude Villeneuve, biologist and director of the Chair of Environmental Consulting at the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi, in order to stabilize the global temperature increase, we must reduce by at least 16% the CO2 emissions of the concrete industry by 2030, and achieve zero emissions by 2050. (Le Quotidien, 2019)
Given these facts, and for the sake of the survival of this industry sector, governments must strengthen their efforts.
“Governments, businesses and individuals must take significant steps to reduce emissions, by using resources more effectively and by adopting new and cleaner technologies.” (Government of Canada, 2020)
Changes announced by the Government of Canada
The Government of Canada is one of the largest real estate owners in Canada. Thus, it relies on many different suppliers in Quebec to carry out its building and infrastructure projects.
To take part in the tendering process, you must meet government requirements and be on the list of approved suppliers.
In its press release of the 9 June 2020 the government informed designers, architects, engineers and suppliers of cement and concrete that it plans to modify some of the current standards for the awarding of public contracts as part of its Greening Government Strategy.
In particular, the government wants the concrete used in construction and infrastructure projects under its responsibility to be low-carbon, in order to reduce the environmental impact of the embodied carbon it generates to a minimum.
What is embodied carbon?
Embodied carbon refers to the carbon dioxide (CO2) released at all stages of a product's life cycle, during manufacturing, transport, the construction work, and its end of life. (Greening Government Strategy, 2020)
What does this actually mean for construction companies?
If the new government directive comes into force, companies doing business with the Government of Canada for public construction and infrastructure contracts will be required to use Portland-Limestone Cement (PLC) or its equivalent in the manufacturing of concrete they sell to the Government.
By introducing this environmental requirement, the government aims to improve greenhouse gas emissions linked to concrete production by 10%. For now, this requirement only applies to suppliers of construction products to the Government of Canada.
Portland-Limestone cement (PLC)
Portland Limestone Cement (CPC), which was introduced in Canada in 2011, has a lower carbon footprint than regular Portland cement.
In 2014, the Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, an institute dedicated to sustainable construction located in Ottawa, carried out a life cycle assessment of this product. The results of the study showed that the environmental impact was lower when Portland-Limestone Cement was used, resulting in an improvement of approximately 10% with respect to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
If Portland-Limestone cement replaced all the cement used in Canada, it would annually reduce GHG emissions by nearly 1 million tons. (Cement Association of Canada and Concrete Council of Canada, 2014)
Therefore, all general-use cement acquired by the Government of Canada must be Portland-Limestone Cement (PLC) or equivalent. At present, the federal government has not yet specified what the term "equivalent" refers to, but it could well mean equivalent in terms of GHG emissions.
What are the benefits of complying with this new standard?
As mentioned previously, the scientific evidence is unequivocal. In the fight against climate change, the battle is far from over. The achievement of targets will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders in society, including businesses.
With its Greening Government Strategy, Canada wants to strengthen its fight against climate change, but also wants to make our country a world leader in low-carbon, climate-resilient and ecological government operations.
This new standard is a first step in this direction.
The proposed requirement is still under review. However, if the government moves forward on the requirement:
The 10% carbon emission reduction requirement will provide a starting point, but will be expected to gradually increase;
All types of construction and infrastructure projects will be concerned;
The application of the requirement will be gradually implemented in 2021 in order to allow the market to adjust.
How will the government ensure that the product meets the new standard’s requirements?
Using life cycle assessment techniques, the government will be able to ensure that the new standard requirements are met.
Analyzing the life cycle of a product makes it possible to assess the pressure on resources and the environment.
Thus, in order for the government to agree to purchase concrete from a company, the latter will have to provide a Type III environmental product declaration (EPD) which includes the percentage of GHG emissions.
What is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?
An EPD is a report that assesses the environmental impacts of a product according to standardised and internationally recognised methods, throughout its life cycle:
Extraction of raw materials
Treatment
Manufacturing
Transport
Use
End-of-Life
The EPD is presented in the form of a summary report compiling critically analysed and third-party verified scientific data. It informs buyers about a product’s environmental attributes, thereby allowing them to make an informed choice.
CT Consultant is one of several companies in Quebec and Canada capable of carrying out life cycle assessments and producing Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).
How could an environmental product declaration (EPD) be beneficial to my company?
EPD is an internationally recognised tool for assessing the environmental impact of a product.
It is consistent with International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) requirements and meets green building rating systems criteria.
It is a guarantee of quality for investors, as it allows comparison of products with regard to their sustainability based on recognised standards and reliable methods.
Its popularity is growing in most markets such as Europe, the United States and Canada.
It gives greater visibility to companies who have responsible construction methods.
It can provide a convincing selling point for sales representatives in their marketing activities.
Ultimately, it therefore contributes to the economic growth of businesses in the concrete industry and of Quebec as a whole.
Why choose CT Consultant to support you in producing your EPD?
CT Consultant is a young, steadily growing Quebec company. It specialises in carrying out environmental assessments by means of a notable team of experienced professionals possessing a diverse and complementary set of skills.
The firm is committed to helping local businesses achieve a better understanding of the social and environmental impacts of the development and marketing of products.
Thus, in addition to carrying out various environmental assessments and answering companies' questions on this topic, CT Consultant also helps companies who are committed to reducing their environmental footprint
Increase their profitability
Improve their corporate image
Increase their sustainability whilst preserving the environment.
We are looking forward to doing business with you!
Sources and references
Chatham House. 2018. Making Concrete Change: Innovation in Low-carbon Cement and Concrete. Accessed online at https://www.chathamhouse.org/publication/making-concrete-change-innovation-low-carbon-cement-and-concrete
Concrete Council of Canada. 2014. An Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Portland-Limestone and Ordinary Portland Cements in Concrete, Athena Sustainable Materials Institute. Found online at : http://www.redecouvrirlebeton.ca/assets/files/sustainability/CAC-PLCvsOPC-Final-Technical-Brief-Jan232013.pdf
Concrete Council of Canada. Accessed online at http://rediscoverconcrete.com/en/sustainability/reducing-our-footprint.html
Government of Canada. 2020. In consideration of setting requirements for low carbon cement and concrete for the Government of Canada (EN578-200001). Accessed online at https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tender-notice/PW-20-00916369