Track: Sustainability and Green Systems

Abstract

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method applied to enhance ecological sustainable development in the construction industry. LCA is used extensively pertaining to the construction industry in developed counties rather than in developing countries. Hence, this study is aimed to develop a literature based SWOT analysis to examine the strengths and opportunities confronted by developed countries and weakness and threats faced by the developing countries in implementing LCA for the construction industry. The SWOT analysis is data-driven, fact-based analysis used to overlooks internal and external factors to assist decision-making. Findings highlighted that developing EPDs (Environmental Product Declaration) for communication purposes in developed countries are the frequently claimed strength in implementing LCA. Lack of accurate LCA data in developing countries can be recognised as a highly reported weakness. Initiation of LCA software are the commonly stated opportunities to integrate LCA to the construction industry in developed countries. Lack of societies’ environmental awareness has created the greatest threat to the application of LCA in developing nations. The study emphasised that, developed countries enjoyed multiplicity of strengths and opportunities whilst developing countries faced a great proportion of weaknesses and threats, which need to alleviate to create LCA enabled built environments in developing countries.