Building a better future, together.

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose core mission is to provide the open data and tools needed to inspire actions that positively impact our world.

Use our tools.

Prioritize low-carbon design, specification, and procurement with EC3 and tallyLCA.

Use our tools.

Prioritize low-carbon design, specification, and procurement with EC3 and tallyLCA.

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Explore our programs.

Support transparency and education on embodied carbon, EPDs, LCAs, and more.

Explore our programs.

Support transparency and education on embodied carbon, EPDs, LCAs, and more.

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Access our data.

Leverage our robust database of EPDs to set embodied carbon baselines and drive reductions.

Access our data.

Leverage our robust database of EPDs to set embodied carbon baselines and drive reductions.

Learn More

Who We Are

Between now and 2060, the world’s population will double the amount of building floor space, equivalent to building an entire New York City every month for 40 years. Much of the carbon footprint of these new buildings will take the form of embodied carbon, or the carbon emissions associated with materials throughout their lifecycle.

Effectively reducing the embodied carbon of the built environment at scale requires industry-wide awareness and action. Building Transparency was established in 2020 for just that reason.

What We Do

The building and construction sector is responsible for 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions – much of which can be attributed to embodied carbon. Building Transparency arms building industry professionals with the information they need to:

Set Achievable Carbon Reduction Targets

Our tools enable users to establish a project’s potential and realized upfront embodied carbon emissions, as well as set baselines and targets.

Identify Low-Carbon Materials

The EPD database allows users to search, filter, and compare building products and identify the best options to meet their goals.

Reduce the Sector’s Overall Impact on Climate Change

Together, our programs, tools, and resources drive widespread embodied carbon awareness and action in the public and private sectors.

Meet Our Tools

Our tools provide the actionable data and insights needed to shape a better building future by lowering the carbon footprint of the built environment. We continue to optimize the capabilities and features of both tools to support users in reducing embodied carbon emissions at scale.

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EC3: Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator

Available globally, the free, open-access EC3 tool and its underlying digitized EPD database encourage low-carbon specification and procurement to meet building and infrastructure project sustainability goals in line with the level of action needed to mitigate climate change.

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tallyLCA: Empowering Data-Driven Design

tallyLCA is a whole-building life cycle assessment (LCA) tool that allows architects and engineers to see – in real-time – the impact of their design decisions on the overall carbon footprint of a project.

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Join Our Mission

Widespread climate action is crucial now more than ever to reduce global embodied carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Our organization is possible because of the support of individuals and companies like you who believe in our mission and role in decarbonizing built spaces. Join us on our journey to build a better building future.

What Our Partners Say

“The creators of EC3 have planned ahead and, even in its inaugural stage, have provided a robust database. There are options for users to dissect and personalize their data searches. This results in an application that provides real data to make informed decisions.”

View Our Integrations

To solve our embodied carbon problem, we need an ecosystem of aligned and harmonized solutions. That’s why we work hard to support integrations with both the EC3 tool and its EPD database with leading software and solutions providers.

Explore Our Programs

Education and awareness of embodied carbon and its impact play a critical role in advancing our mission. This is why we’ve invested in and provide programs that enable more members of the building sector to join us as we drive decarbonization forward.

materialsCAN

Leaders in the global material manufacturing industry ready to act on the smart prioritization of embodied carbon in building materials.

materialsCAN

Leaders in the global material manufacturing industry ready to act on the smart prioritization of embodied carbon in building materials.

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ownersCAN

Building developers, users, and managers who aim to improve embodied carbon awareness, stay current on carbon-related policies and drive action.

ownersCAN

Building developers, users, and managers who aim to improve embodied carbon awareness, stay current on carbon-related policies and drive action.

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contractorsCAN

General contractors focused on decarbonizing projects through tracking embodied carbon, smart procurement, and efficient construction practices.

contractorsCAN

General contractors focused on decarbonizing projects through tracking embodied carbon, smart procurement, and efficient construction practices.

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openEPD

A free, open digital standard format for EPDs, compliant with both ISO and EN standards, helping to make EPDs interoperable between databases and usable at a global scale.

openEPD

A free, open digital standard format for EPDs, compliant with both ISO and EN standards, helping to make EPDs interoperable between databases and usable at a global scale.

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openIMPACT

A project to develop the methodology for estimating uncertainty and generating results with ranges across life cycle stages.

openIMPACT

A project to develop the methodology for estimating uncertainty and generating results with ranges across life cycle stages.

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ODCi

The Open Data For Climate Initiative provides free, open-access transparent and credible construction materials LCA data to accelerate the decarbonization of the built environment.

ODCi

The Open Data For Climate Initiative provides free, open-access transparent and credible construction materials LCA data to accelerate the decarbonization of the built environment.

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