Systematic Review of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) Towards Construction Emission Mitigation in the African Region

Although environmental product declarations (EPDs) are widely used in many European countries, their availability and utilization in Africa are limited. The question is how will the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry effectively promote the utilization of EPDs to facilitate the communication of material content and promote sustainability within the African region? This study aims to identify the synthesis between the use of EPDs in the African region and other regions of the globe through a systematic review of the existing literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The review uncovered a need for more research on the African Region; however, a heightened interest exists in EPD growth in European countries. The countries that exhibited the highest publication numbers in the field of EPDs were Italy, Germany, Spain, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, with publication counts of 34, 19, 19, 16, and 14, respectively. The novelty of this study is in its endeavour to motivate countries in the global south to cultivate and advance their knowledge and capabilities to pursue emission reduction measures through the implementation and utilization of EPDs, which represents a pioneering initiative in the African region. The study serves as a valuable resource for practitioners and policymakers, offering essential groundwork for EPD growth. Academics can take advantage of One Click LCA’s free boot camps and webinars through their online academy to improve their knowledge.