Embodied Carbon / Capex Materials Playbook (Advanced Cat 2)

Step 1 — Select project scope (don't boil the ocean)

Start with:

• •your top 3 capex projects by spend or size
• •or one repeatable project type (e.g., HVAC replacement program)

Step 2 — Build a minimum materials log

You do not need perfect quantities to start. Start with:

• •high-level quantities if available
• •or trade-level scope lists
• •or "key material decisions" to request documentation

Step 3 — Request EPDs and material documentation (only where feasible)

Use a vendor-friendly request:

• •"send existing EPDs if you have them"
• •"send product cut sheets and quantities"
• •don't demand new reporting on day one

Step 4 — Add embodied carbon requirements into specs (lightweight)

Examples of lightweight requirements:

• •"provide EPDs where available"
• •"submit product alternatives with lower impact options"
• •"document quantities and product IDs"

Step 5 — Track what you actually bought (submittals + evidence)

Embodied carbon programs fail when:

• •decisions happen, but procurement records aren't captured

Your evidence set should include:

• •submittals
• •purchase orders (if accessible)
• •invoices (if relevant)
• •EPDs/cut sheets
• •as-built summary (even high-level)

Template 1 — Project Embodied Carbon Starter Log

| Project | Site | Material/system | Product (if known) | Quantity (estimate ok) | Unit | EPD available? | Evidence link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---:|---|---|---|---|

Template 2 — EPD / Documentation Request Email

Subject: Request: product documentation / EPDs (if available) — [Project]

Hi [Name],
For our project documentation and internal reporting, can you provide for [project]:
- product identifiers and cut sheets for key materials
- quantities (estimate is okay if final not available)
- any existing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), if you have them

If EPDs aren't available, no problem — please provide product specs and quantities.
Thanks,
[Name]

Template 3 — Low-Carbon Spec Checklist (starter)

Low-Carbon Spec Checklist (Starter)

- Require product IDs and quantities in submittals
- Request EPDs where available
- Allow alternatives if functionally equivalent
- Document substitutions and approvals
- Store evidence in a consistent project folder

Template 4 — Submittal Review Log

| Project | Submittal item | Decision (approved/alt needed) | Low-carbon alternative considered? | Owner | Evidence link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|

Template 5 — Embodied Carbon Methods Note

Embodied Carbon Methods Note (Internal)

Projects included:
Materials prioritized:
Data sources:
- submittals
- EPDs (where available)
- quantity estimates

Limitations:
Improvement plan:
- increase quantity accuracy
- expand material coverage
- standardize spec language