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<p>The construction sector in Egypt, contributing 23% of national greenhouse gas emissions, urgently requires sustainable material transitions to align with climate targets under Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the Paris Agreement. This study bridges the critical gap in localized sustainability assessments by integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) sourced from the Ecoinvent Database, particularly Ecoinvent version 3.5, and environmental product declarations (EPDs) for materials or processes not included in Ecoinvent 3.5. Extra data was obtained from EPDs provided by manufacturers, prioritizing region-specific or Egypt-representative flow data whenever such documentation was available to evaluate the environmental impacts of widely used building materials, such as hollow bricks, gypsum boards, and insulation products. This dual-source method facilitated cross-verification and addressed specific gaps in the local market, thereby improving the reliability of the life cycle inventory. Employing SimaPro 9.3.0.3 and the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint method, a cradle-to-gate analysis reveals stark disparities: hollow bricks exhibit the lowest carbon footprint (0.15&#xa0;kg CO<sub>2</sub>eq/kg), whereas expanded polystyrene (EPS) demonstrates the highest climate impact (4.2&#xa0;kg CO<sub>2</sub>eq). EPDs emerge as pivotal tools for transparent, region-specific data, guiding stakeholders toward low-carbon alternatives like stone wool and gypsum fiberboard, which reduce ozone depletion potential by 40% compared to conventional counterparts. By explicitly aligning findings with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), this research demonstrates the potential to mitigate Egypt’s construction-sector emissions by 30–50% through strategic material substitution. The study advocates for policy reforms, including mandatory EPD integration in public procurement and revisions to national building codes (e.g., Egyptian Code 203), to accelerate sustainable construction. This framework offers a replicable model for emerging economies to reconcile industrial development with global climate imperatives, fostering synergies between economic growth and planetary health.</p>

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Informed decision-making in material selection for sustainable construction through life cycle assessment and environmental product declaration

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月26日

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  • Norhane Eldeeb,
  • Mahmoud shaaban,
  • Mohamed A. Afifi,
  • Irene. S. Fahim

摘要

The construction sector in Egypt, contributing 23% of national greenhouse gas emissions, urgently requires sustainable material transitions to align with climate targets under Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the Paris Agreement. This study bridges the critical gap in localized sustainability assessments by integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) sourced from the Ecoinvent Database, particularly Ecoinvent version 3.5, and environmental product declarations (EPDs) for materials or processes not included in Ecoinvent 3.5. Extra data was obtained from EPDs provided by manufacturers, prioritizing region-specific or Egypt-representative flow data whenever such documentation was available to evaluate the environmental impacts of widely used building materials, such as hollow bricks, gypsum boards, and insulation products. This dual-source method facilitated cross-verification and addressed specific gaps in the local market, thereby improving the reliability of the life cycle inventory. Employing SimaPro 9.3.0.3 and the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint method, a cradle-to-gate analysis reveals stark disparities: hollow bricks exhibit the lowest carbon footprint (0.15 kg CO2eq/kg), whereas expanded polystyrene (EPS) demonstrates the highest climate impact (4.2 kg CO2eq). EPDs emerge as pivotal tools for transparent, region-specific data, guiding stakeholders toward low-carbon alternatives like stone wool and gypsum fiberboard, which reduce ozone depletion potential by 40% compared to conventional counterparts. By explicitly aligning findings with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), this research demonstrates the potential to mitigate Egypt’s construction-sector emissions by 30–50% through strategic material substitution. The study advocates for policy reforms, including mandatory EPD integration in public procurement and revisions to national building codes (e.g., Egyptian Code 203), to accelerate sustainable construction. This framework offers a replicable model for emerging economies to reconcile industrial development with global climate imperatives, fostering synergies between economic growth and planetary health.