Starting in 2026, Minnesota will require documentation outlining the Global Warming Potential (GWP), or embodied carbon dioxide, of concrete mixtures used in building projects larger than 50,000 square feet. For these projects, the GWP of concrete mixtures must fall below maximum limits established by the National Ready-Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA). In the coming years, these requirements will also extend to work performed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), including bridges and pavements.

This shift reflects a broader trend across the construction industry. Major corporations such as Meta, Microsoft, and Google are driving demand for buildings with significantly lower carbon footprints. These companies have established ambitious sustainability goals and expect their facilities to meet stringent environmental standards, including reductions in embodied carbon. As a result, developers and contractors are increasingly adopting practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout a building’s lifecycle.

The required documentation will take the form of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). An EPD summarizes the environmental impact of a product across its life cycle. Much like a nutrition label, current EPDs report embodied carbon dioxide and other environmental data for a specific concrete mixture, based on the mix design, raw materials, and the ready-mix plant—covering impacts from cradle to the gate of the production facility.

Over time, EPDs are expected to expand to document the full life cycle of building materials, including production, installation, use, demolition, and potential reuse. For concrete, this represents a significant opportunity. Concrete buildings and pavements are durable, require relatively low maintenance, and—particularly in buildings—can contribute to energy efficiency during operation. Additionally, concrete can be recycled and reused as base aggregate or incorporated into new concrete, reinforcing its role as a resilient and sustainable building material.