Data Center Embodied Carbon Benchmarks Suppliers Should Hit

What “good” looks like, in hard numbers

Buyers anchor to public thresholds that map neatly to EPDs. For ready‑mix, expect project specs to call for 4000 psi concrete near 352 kg CO2e per m³ for a better‑than‑average mix, with preferred targets around 326 or even 284 kg CO2e per m³, depending on ambition level (GSA, 2025) (GSA, 2025). For steel, rebar typically needs to land between 611 and 760 kg CO2e per metric ton, with hot‑rolled sections between 686 and 869 kg CO2e per metric ton, and HSS from 1,580 to 1,652 kg CO2e per metric ton for higher tiers (GSA, 2025). Flat glass targets of 1,331 to 1,401 kg CO2e per metric ton are increasingly common in envelope packages (GSA, 2025).

California’s Buy Clean limits as a floor

Even when a project is not public work, teams often reference California’s standing limits as a pass‑fail floor. Examples include rebar at 890 kg CO2e per metric ton and flat glass at 1,430 kg CO2e per metric ton, with mineral wool board insulation set at 3.33 and 8.16 kg CO2e per m² at RSI 1 for light and heavy densities respectively (DGS, 2025) (DGS, 2025). CALGreen also added embodied‑carbon options in 2024 that accept concrete mixes at or below 175 percent of regional averages, or a 10 percent whole‑building reduction, which some private owners mirror in RFPs (CALGreen, 2024).

What the leaders are already doing

Meta embedded low‑carbon concrete into its design specs, setting expectations up to 20 percent below regional baselines, and reports site pilots achieving about 35 percent reduction on certain pours (Meta, 2024). The Open Compute Project’s industry collaboration is trialing data hall slabs that target more than 50 percent GWP cuts per cubic yard, a signal of where specs are heading fast (OCP, 2024). Microsoft is piloting mass timber hybrids that cut embodied carbon roughly 35 percent versus conventional steel builds, and 65 percent compared with typical precast concrete structures for select facilities (Microsoft, 2024) (Microsoft, 2024). Equinix publicly cites about 30 percent reductions across structural steel, concrete, and rebar versus country averages on a major build, which is becoming a common narrative in owner briefs (Equinix, 2025).

Translate those signals into supplier targets

If a bid calls for “better than average,” aim to clear the GSA better‑than‑average line for your product class and propose alternates that reach the top‑40 tier where supply allows (GSA, 2025). When a spec references “meet or beat California,” ensure your EPDs sit comfortably below the Buy Clean limits, not right on the line, to avoid rejections during VE rounds (DGS, 2025). For data hall slabs needing early strength, remember some buyers allow about 30 percent added headroom on concrete GWP, so document any high‑early requirement in the EPD submittal cover letter (GSA, 2025).

Concrete, at the pace of AI buildouts

Typical owner playbooks now push three levers at once. Reduce total volume through design optimization. Substitute cement with SCMs to hit the 326 to 284 kg CO2e per m³ range at 4000 psi where climate and finish allow. And for critical schedule pours, declare if an early‑strength mix triggers the permitted adjustment, then bring the rest of the project mixes down to offset it (GSA, 2025) (Meta, 2024).

Steel, without surprises

For rebar, fabricators see specs clustering around 728 to 850 kg CO2e per metric ton on a fabricated basis. Upstream EAF routes and facility‑specific EPDs are looked on favorably when they demonstrate the 611 to 760 kg CO2e per metric ton unfabricated window. Hot‑rolled sections that document 686 to 869 kg CO2e per metric ton are increasingly treated as table stakes on hyperscale campuses (GSA, 2025).

Envelope and interiors still matter

Even when the structural package carries the biggest load, owners are not ignoring envelopes and interiors. Flat glass thresholds between 1,331 and 1,401 kg CO2e per metric ton are appearing more often, while mineral wool board insulation is checked against California’s 3.33 and 8.16 kg CO2e per m² at RSI 1 limits as a quick sanity screen, especially on campuses with repeatable details (GSA, 2025) (DGS, 2025).

EPD quality signals reviewers scan in seconds

Procurement teams look for four fast tells. Product‑specific, third‑party verified Type III EPDs that clearly cite the active PCR. Facility‑specific data for A1 to A3 where material emissions are concentrated. Units that match the spec, for example m³ versus yd³, and fabricated versus unfabricated declarations. Publication dates recent enough to cover the build window, and alignment with the owner’s preferred program operator. If any of these are fuzzy, submittals get parked.

Ranges and conversions, without gotchas

Two frequent pitfalls derail otherwise good numbers. Mixing kg CO2e per m³ with per yd³ on concrete, which can swing the interpretation by more than 20 percent if missed. And confusing fabricated steel thresholds with unfabricated limits, which can make a compliant EPD read as a fail to a time‑pressed reviewer. Definately do a final unit audit against the spec’s table before you submit. For transportation projects, FHWA’s 2024 tech brief shows regional 20th percentile concrete thresholds as low as about 146 kg CO2e per yd³, which signals how far mixes can go in certain markets when owners push hard (FHWA, 2024).

Quick checklist to win the spec

• Confirm whether the project uses California BCCA floors, GSA‑style percentiles, or owner stated deltas, then map your EPDs to those exact units and fabrication states (DGS, 2025) (GSA, 2025).
• Offer a primary mix or product that beats the better‑than‑average line and an alternate that reaches the top‑40 tier. Document supply feasibility and schedule impacts plainly (GSA, 2025).
• If you need early strength concrete, note the allowed adjustment and compensate elsewhere in the package so the weighted average still hits the owner target (GSA, 2025).

The commercial angle, in plain sight

Every point you shave off GWP widens your eligible project pool and reduces the risk of last‑minute substitutions. Owners are not demanding perfection. They expect clear EPDs, credible ranges that match published thresholds, and a plan to improve during multi‑building rollouts. Bring that, and your quote jumps from “maybe” to “let’s slot it in.”