EC3 is a free and open-access tool designed to help the construction industry make informed decisions about the embodied carbon in materials.

Its main contribution is a digital database of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), which allows materials to be compared using verifiable, supply-chain-specific data. Thanks to this information, design and construction professionals can assess and reduce the emissions associated with their projects from the early stages, integrating quantities derived from BIM models, estimates, or actual site data.

The tool makes it easier to visualise the potential for emissions reduction and to select lower-impact alternatives, something particularly relevant in a context where embodied carbon represents a significant share of the sector’s emissions. Its use also enables public administrations, certification schemes, and developers to establish EPD requirements and carbon limits for materials and projects. According to Building Transparency, in markets where EPD data exists, the use of EC3 has contributed to emissions reductions of 30% or more by guiding the selection and procurement of materials with a lower environmental footprint.

EC3 also integrates with various industry platforms, facilitating its adoption and use within standard workflows.