Sustainability of Building Materials: Embodied Energy and Embodied Carbon of Masonry

The growing attention to sustainability and life cycle issues by European international policies has recently encouraged the adoption, in construction sector, of environmental labels able quantify impacts on environment associated with fabrication several building materials, e.g., their embodied energy carbon. Within this framework, since walls represent a large percentage mass therefore impacts, article collects analyzes nearly 180 Environmental Products Declarations (EPDs) wall products such as masonry blocks concrete panels. data related primary (renewable non-renewable) global warming potential extracted from EPDs were compared firstly at block level (choosing 1 kg functional unit), enabling designers manufacturers understand reduce early design stage. As progresses, it is necessary evaluate entire system. For purpose, paper proposes further investigation some simple options having similar thermal performance superficial (the unit chosen case was equal m2 R ? 5 m2K/W, Ms 260 kg/m2). outcomes showed how durability materials disassembly stratigraphies can play crucial role reducing impact. This provides methodological reference both for committed application labeling process they will now be compare others.