DEVELOPMENT OF A LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA) BASED DECISION-MAKING TOOL FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF BUILDING PRODUCTS

Alexandra Urie and Suzan Dagg ()
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Alexandra Urie: Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
Suzan Dagg: Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK

Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), 2004, vol. 06, issue 02, 153-175

Abstract: This paper introduces the need for the responsible selection of construction products and then analyses a number of assessment methodologies. Some computer packages and guidebooks that assist in life cycle assessment or aid construction product selection are briefly reviewed. Issues that affect decision-making and complexities in the construction industry are discussed. A tool for assisting responsible construction product selection is then presented that involves carrying out a streamlined life cycle assessment, comparing a novel product to a traditional product. The tool is pragmatic because only three environmental criteria are considered (resource consumption, energy use and human and ecological impacts) and a relative rather then absolute assessment is required. The decision-assisting methodology is demonstrated with a case study. The limitations and benefits of the streamlined LCA are finally presented.

Keywords: Construction products; life cycle assessment; streamlined life cycle assessment; environmental decision-making; environmental impact (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1142/S1464333204001675

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