Estimating Construction Project Environmental Effects Using an Input-Output-Based Hybrid Life-Cycle Assessment Model

Abstract

The design and construction industries have an increasing interest in and responsibility for a building’s environmental effects over its entire life cycle. Quantification of all building phases is important in life-cycle assessments (LCAs), especially for the construction phase, which is often disregarded. This research uses an input-output-based LCA framework to create a more comprehensive estimate of the environmental effects of construction processes. The hybrid LCA model is based on Carnegie Mellon University’s Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment (EIO-LCA) tool and combines a new EIO-LCA “hybrid” interface with updated and reformulated environmental effect vectors for EIO-LCA’s 13 construction sectors. Eight construction project case studies modeled on the input-output (I-O)-based hybrid LCA framework demonstrate the model’s broad applicability; gasoline, particulate matter, and global warming potential effects generally increased across all construction sectors and case studies. The I-O-based hybrid LCA model for construction is intended to help decision makers make more informed decisions regarding the construction industry, adding environmental quality and sustainable development as project goals instead of unintentional benefits of economic decisions.