Read the latest magazine Featured Solutions Pitched Roofing Roof Slate Sustainability Natural Slate is the Roofing Material with the Lowest Carbon Footprint throughout its Life Cycle 23 November 2023 ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly constructions are the new normal. To achieve that goal, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge of the materials used, where they come from and their carbon footprint. According to Control Union, an independent body, natural slate is the roofing material with the lowest carbon footprint throughout its entire life cycle. This recognition confirms the unbeatable properties of natural slate and its suitability for modern architecture. CUPA PIZARRAS is the world leader in the production of natural slate. In addition to producing roofing material with less environmental impact, it also places sustainability at the center of all its processes. What is life cycle analysis of materials and what is carbon footprint? A material’s carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated through its lifecycle. A life cycle analysis allows the purchaser to know, in an objective and verifiable way, a product’s overall environmental impact, from extraction to the end of its useful life. Natural slate has a simple production process, without chemical products, and once installed it can last more than 100 years, avoiding expensive repairs. Furthermore, natural slate can be re-used on future projects if the roof is dismantled. CO2 of slate and comparative materials Using the data reflected in the prestigious INIES French database, Control Union certifies the numbers provided by the publication of the Environmental Product Declarations (EPD in English, FDES in French). It is to be used as a source of information for the eco-design of buildings and construction of facilities, in accordance to EN 15804: 2014, based on a Life Cycle Assessment of construction products in European market. According to this data, provided by the manufacturers themselves, this is the average kgCO2/year values of roofing materials: Comparative materials Average values of kgCO2/YEAR Slate 0,12 Copper and alloys 0,17 Terracotta 0,21 ZINC 0,25 Concrete 0,26 PVC 0,43 Bituminous roof tiles 0,45 Fibre cement 0,75 Aluminium 0,78 Wood 0,78 Polyester 0,94 Steel 1,21 Polycarbonate 3,21 Polymethacrylate 21,03 Would you like to learn more about the sustainability of natural slate? On CUPA PIZARRAS’ website, you can read about the unparalleled characteristics of this material. >> Read more about CUPA PIZARRAS in the news Previous article The Best Panel for the Project? West Fraser’s New Guide for Builders Has All the AnswersNext article Recticel’s Eurothane GP Among First Building Products to be CCPI Verified Share article You may also like View all News Featured Solutions +3 1 October 2026 Introducing Ulti-Slate from Ulti-Mate Featured Solutions +2 24 September 2026 A Tested Mitigation Layer Cover Board Featured Solutions +2 17 September 2026 Proctor Group Supplies Membrane Products to Social Bite Villages Featured Solutions +3 17 September 2026 RubberCover Celebrates 20 Years – A Complete Roofing System Built to Last Sign Up to Roofing Today Stay up to date with all of the latest news from Roofing Today by signing up to our weekly Bulletins… Sign Up Today Get in Touch Check out the latest issue 126 September-October 2026 View Now Past Issues Get in Touch