Italian ceramics and embodied carbon in buildings

(July 2025) | The growing frequency of extreme weather events in recent years has underscored the need to drastically reduce CO₂ emissions. The construction sector is a major contributor, accounting for approximately 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

However, attention is often focused exclusively on the usage stage of a building (prevalently heating and hot water production), while overlooking the CO₂ released during the manufacture and transport of the materials used in its construction.

This is why it is important to understand the concept of embodied carbon as the total quantity of CO₂ emitted over the entire life cycle of building materials, before, during and after construction (from raw materials extraction through to manufacture and transport of the finished products, construction of the building and, finally, demolition, disposal or recycling).

The importance of reducing embodied carbon

For this reason, an informed approach to the choice of construction materials is vital for minimising a building’s overall environmental footprint. However, emissions must be controlled over all stages of a building’s life cycle, with day-to-day operation remaining a key factor for mitigating climate change.

Italy has introduced a series of policy tools to support this approach, one of which is the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) for public buildings, which specify the use of construction products that promote circular economy practices both during production and at the end-of-life stage. Despite this, too many buildings are still designed and constructed without considering the impact of the chosen materials over their entire life cycle or how product durability will affect the building’s overall sustainability performance.

Italian ceramics: what the EPDs disclose

For Italian ceramic surfaces, the sector-wide Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), prepared in accordance with EN 15804 and independently verified, quantifies the global warming potential of the production stage (A1–A3) at 11 kg CO₂ equivalent per m² of average installed tile (2020 data; valid until 3 January 2028). The production process is aimed at reducing impacts during the manufacturing stage while producing highly durable products. The sector has invested in technologies to reduce energy consumption and emissions, including cogeneration, kiln heat recovery, photovoltaics and digital monitoring.

Italian ceramic tiles are also exceptionally hard wearing. Their technical characteristics offer high technical performance, reducing the need for maintenance or replacement and thereby supporting long service life. With a useful life that can exceed 50 years, the initial impact is spread over a longer period.

Italian ceramic tiles are covered by a sector-wide EPD, prepared in accordance with EN 15804 and independently verified. For a specific product, the manufacturer’s product EPD should be consulted; it assesses the material’s environmental impacts using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method.

Embodied carbon and durability: what can be documented

As defined by the World Green Building Council, embodied carbon includes the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire life cycle of a material, from production, transport, installation and maintenance through to end-of-life disposal. Because of their long service life, Italian ceramic products may help spread the initial impact over a longer period, provided their service life is documented.

Ceramics can be used in both new buildings and renovation projects aimed at improving energy efficiency.

Responsibility has long been central to the commitment of Italian ceramic manufacturers, reflected in actions aimed at sustainable production processes, the manufacture of materials that reduce environmental impact, and the protection of employee health, safety and wellbeing.

Choosing Italian ceramics means being able to request independently verified product environmental data (EPDs), alongside aesthetic quality and technical performance.