Due to its high emission rate, the construction industry must adopt transparent environmental data mechanisms. According to Linh, lifecycle assessment (LCA) and environmental product declarations (EPD) are becoming essential tools for ensuring sustainability and competitiveness among enterprises.

By early 2023, there were at least 130,000 EPDs for construction products globally, with over 40,000 aligned with European standards. Countries like Thailand, India, Brazil, and China have aggressively implemented EPDs to increase the competitiveness of their building materials in global markets.

However, the international EPD system has recorded only 44 declarations from Vietnamese companies. Without an EPD, construction products cannot participate in international green projects, resulting in missed business opportunities for domestic firms.

Experts noted that Vietnam’s slow adoption of LCA and EPD stems from several barriers, including limited awareness, lack of trained personnel, and insufficient financial resources.

Phan Thu Hang, Chairwoman of VGBC’s Board of Directors, emphasized that applying LCA and EPD not only improves data transparency but also helps businesses optimize products and reduce embedded carbon emissions.

Global push for carbon accountability

From an international perspective, Aditi Chitnis, a representative from One Click LCA, stated that data standardization and carbon transparency are becoming mandatory across green supply chains, especially for projects targeting sustainable construction certification.

LCA and EPD are now indispensable for large-scale projects and green building certification programs, as well as for meeting international trade regulations such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Chitnis explained that with tools developed by One Click LCA, manufacturers and design professionals in the construction sector can integrate LCA and EPD into their workflows to measure carbon footprints and optimize material use.

Douglas Lee Snyder, CEO of VGBC, introduced the LOTUS Green Product Certification (LGP), which allows building material manufacturers to qualify for green building rating systems like LOTUS, Green Mark, and LEED.

Seven solutions to achieve a major CO₂ reduction

Vietnam’s construction sector aims to reduce emissions by nearly 80 million tons of CO₂ through seven solutions, five of which involve energy use, while two are focused on industrial processes - particularly the production of building materials.

From a policy standpoint, efforts are underway to prevent Vietnamese companies from falling behind in the green materials market. According to the Vietnam Institute for Building Materials, the government is developing a supportive legal framework by localizing international standards.

The seminar was part of Vietnam Green Building and Green Transport Week 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Construction. The event supports Vietnam’s Net Zero commitment by accelerating green transformation across the entire construction value chain.

Tran Chung