Sarcouncil Journal of Applied Sciences Aims & Scope

Abstract: With the decarbonization of U.S energy systems, embodied emissions from manufacturing and construction materials are gaining attention. This critical review examines recent work on low-carbon material pathways, the role of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) in quantifying embodied carbon, and the emerging Buy Clean procurement policies. This paper synthesizes advances in alternative cements (high-blast-furnace slag, calcined clay, novel binders) and recycled inputs (recycled concrete aggregate, fly ash, industrial by-products) as means to cut emissions. We also describe how Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) (governed by product-category rules) provide cradle-to-gate carbon data for construction materials and discuss their rapid adoption as transparency tools. Key findings are that low-carbon material technologies consistently promise large emissions reductions but often face cost or performance constraints. EPDs improve product comparability but are hindered by inconsistent methods and data gaps. Similarly, Buy Clean policies create demand signals but are limited by material coverage and incomplete data. This study identifies four gaps: insufficient domestic life cycle inventory data, poor integration of material innovation and procurement practices, immature circularity pathways, and a lack of harmonized benchmarks for embodied carbon.