The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has launched its new Industry Environmental Products Tool (Version 2.0) to support the publication of environmental product declarations (EPDs) by cement and concrete producers.

The new Industry Environmental Products DeclarationTool (EPDT) supports assessment of the environmental impact of cement and concrete products.

Dr Andrew Minson, GCCA concrete and sustainable construction director, said: "We are committed to supporting the cement and concrete industry to reduce its environmental impact and support global sustainability goals. With the launch of the new EPDT, we are enabling the industry and its customers to better quantify and verify the life cycle environmental impact of existing products and to develop lower-impact products in the future."

Originally commissioned by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Cement Sustainability Initiative (whose cement sustainability functions are now part of the GCCA) the new GCCA Industry EPDT includes the latest database of energy impacts from cement production from across the world, supporting the output of more accurate EPD data.

Dr Minson added: "We believe the EPD tool will help towards our mission of ensuring that concrete is seen as the sustainable building material of choice for today and the future needs of the world."