Life cycle analysis (LCA) can be utilized to evaluate environmental impacts from the construction sector. In Sweden, from January 2022, climate declarations are mandatory when constructing new buildings. This report provides a literature review on various aspects related to LCA inbuilding, with focus on challenges and possibilities. Major challenges with LCA conductance are that buildings have long life-spans which introduce uncertainties in the LCA calculations since parameters may change over time. Choice of calculation tool, system boundaries for the LCA analysis and deviations between databases are further challenges that affect LCA results. Problems with data quality are another issue since usage of generic data may lower the accuracy of LCA studies on local level. Transparency of calculation tools, LCA methods, approximations and complexity of analysis are further challenges. Furthermore, when different LCA methods and calculation tools have been used, comparability between LCA studies can be compromised. To counteract the challenges voices have been raised to create national and even global databases to homogenize the data. Thorough and transparent communication of scope, method and system boundaries in LCA studies can counteract the problem with low transparency, deviating results and comparability issues. Using local data instead of generic data can increase data quality and therefore the quality and accuracy of the results.
This report is prepared as part of the Interreg Nord project "Enhanced Sustainability of Built Environment by Collaboration and Digitalization" (ESBE).