## 1 Introduction
Features such as being a renewable resource with a reduced carbon footprint, biodegradability, recyclability, and preserving biodiversity in ecosystems lead to bio- and geo-based materials. According to [PERSON] et al. [10], climate-neutral energy efficiency construction is feasible when using timber- and bamboo-based building materials. However, a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) is needed to evaluate the real environmental cost of a material use. Figure 1: (a) Building’s energy use. (b) Building’s emissions. Adapted from [3]. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is the basis of environmental product declarations (EPDs), providing a structured approach to evaluating products' environmental impacts throughout their life cycle. EPDs rely on LCA data to offer stakeholders standardised documentation on environmental performance. This provides a deeper understanding of a product's environmental footprint and facilitates comparisons between products and construction solutions. In this context, fast-growing materials derived from rapidly renewable sources such as bamboo, hemp, reed, or trees like eucalyptus stand out as the stored carbon during their lifetime can be greater than released carbon when the building material is manufactured (Figure 2). Conventional construction materials, such as bricks and cast concrete, contribute significantly to climate change. Despite some claims, high initial emissions cannot be compensated for by carbon uptake in lime-based alternatives [11]. Regardless of the emissions from manufacturing and use, carbon-storing materials offer a significant advantage that might be the key point for future post-carbon construction. Using fast-growing bio-based materials for construction products can create carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative products [12]. Fast-growing materials are natural resources or crops that have rapid growth, making them readily available for harvest and use in a short period. They reduce pressure on ecosystems and support environmentally friendly practices. Examples already used in construction worldwide are bamboo, hemp, straw, flax, kenaf, and several species of reed. According to [PERSON] et al. [11], storing carbon in fast-growing biogenic materials is more efficient than storing it in timber elements. Once these materials capture the stored carbon fully within one year after construction, forest products take longer due to the required long rotation period for regrowth [11; 12; 14]. In the Global North, retrofitting existing buildings with agricultural waste products, such as straw, presents an opportunity for bio-based thermal insulation [12]. In this context, while fast-growing materials are mostly known for their insulation properties due to their fibrous composition, their applications extend far beyond insulation. They are versatile components in various construction projects, from structural components crafted from bamboo to finishing materials like plaster, flooring, siding, roofing shingles, and acoustic panels, which are aesthetically pleasing. In Brazil, the implementation of bio-concrete solutions using bamboo had the potential to reduce up to 65% of carbon emissions [15]. In this sense, this study aims to analyse the potential of fast-growing bio-based construction materials, thanks to their high biogenic carbon, to accelerate the achievement of SDGs.