Carbon Transparency in Practice: Turning Data into Action Across Products, Buildings & Operations

Sustainability professionals know the challenge well: decarbonizing the built environment isn’t just about tracking emissions—it’s about transforming how we design, source, build, and operate. At our recent Carbon in Buildings and Business event hosted by EUA Milwaukee, industry leaders came together to explore how we can move beyond ambition and start embedding carbon intelligence at every level of the value chain.

Here’s how you can apply these insights into your own work:

1. Products: Prioritize Lifecycle Data and Transparency

Clients and customers alike are demanding deeper accountability. This is driving a surge in product-level carbon data, particularly through LCAs and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Tools like One Click LCA for construction and manufacturing streamline this process, but the key is ensuring consistency and transparency.

Takeaways for product teams:

• Embed LCA into the design phase, it’s not only about compliance, but also a driver of innovation.

• Anticipate regulations, such as ESPR, says Laura Loucks, Sustainability Project Manager for Supply Chain at Rockwell Automation. Don’t wait until you have to comply, the future is moving toward cradle-to-gate carbon data, circularity, and repairability as non-negotiables.

• Close data gaps with a systems-based approach—quarterly, site-level reporting can surface trends and areas for improvement.

• Highlight low carbon features in customer facing materials, they’re not just environmental wins, they’re competitive advantages.

2. Buildings: Design for Carbon Outcomes, Not Just Aesthetics

Architects, engineers, and designers are increasingly influencing clients to consider embodied carbon, thanks in part to the  AIA 2030 goals. However, as Rachel Thompson, Sustainability Specialist at EUA, noted, current building performance still falls short—on average, we’re only achieving 50% improvement over 1980s baselines. That’s simply not good enough.

What building professionals can do:

•  Use building-level LCAs and real energy data, not just models. Ask owners to share post-construction energy usage with designer to validate actual impact.

• Set up internal benchmarks and compare across projects. EPA GHG equivalency tools help communicate outcomes clearly, event to non-technical stakeholders. Make it engaging and accessible!

• Prioritize repairability and disassembly in material choices, aligned with circular economy principles for long-term sustainability.
  

3. Operations: Integrate Scope 3—and Elevate Scope 1 and 2

While Scope 3 emissions are where long-term transformation happens, don’t overlook the near-term wins in Scope 1 and 2—areas where operational teams can deliver immediate impact and savings.

For sustainability leads and operations managers:

• Integrate carbon data into procurement—make carbon metrics part of contracts and supplier expectations. Incentivize and support suppliers to provide data, especially smaller or international partners. Leverage local resources and partnerships to help.

• Centralize emissions tracking with platforms like ETQ to gain insights across your portfolio.

• Build your internal champions—as Emily James, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Generac Power Systems shared, her plant managers are her biggest asset for driving data collection and continuous improvement. Don’t be afraid of a little friendly competition!

• Optimize energy use with building management systems (BMS) and interval data monitoring.

• Negotiate renewable energy contracts and invest in on-site generation to lower Scope 2 emissions.

 What’s it for operations teams?

• Significant energy cost savings from efficiency upgrades.

• Reduced maintenance with newer, cleaner equipment.

• Improved reliability and lower exposure to future carbon pricing.
  

4. Stakeholder Collaboration: Make Carbon Everyone’s Job

Carbon data doesn’t flow on its own—you need the right people to make it happen. Success depends on bringing together champions, skeptics, and decision-makers from across the organization.

Tips for building stakeholder buy-in:

• Tailor the message: For finance, it’s about cost savings; for procurement, risk reduction; for executives, brand leadership and competitive advantage.

• Create feedback loops: Quarterly reporting or dashboards make progress visible and keep teams engaged.

• Build relationships: Sit down with facilities teams, procurement leads, and product managers. Show them how sustainability initiatives help them achieve their own goals.

The Bottom Line:

GHG Data isn’t the endpoint—it’s a launchpad. The companies making the biggest impact aren’t just measuring carbon. They’re using those insights to redesign products, transform buildings, and shift operational mindsets.

So don’t wait for perfect data. Start where you are with what you have, then build systems to improve upon it. And don't forget to leverage your champions!!