LCA in the construction process A4 and A5: insights for Germany from European best practices

The construction process as an essential component of resource consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is often overlooked in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. This work compares LCA methods, standards, and databases related to phases A4 (transport to the building site) and A5 (installation into the building) in Germany and other leading countries. The analysis indicates that while Germany’s LCA database ¨OKOBAUDAT and the associated tool eLCA establish a foundational framework for LCA in the construction phase, they lack comprehensive datasets and corresponding calculation methodologies. ¨OKOBAUDAT provides only limited reference values for construction equipment, transport type, and energy source without accounting for variations in transport conditions or load capacities. Furthermore, eLCA currently does not support a detailed assessment of the A4 and A5 phases. To enhance Germany’s LCA framework, ¨OKOBAUDAT should expand its data scope and incorporate standardized calculation methods when reference values are unavailable. Analyzing realworld construction projects can also facilitate the identification of key impact factors and the development of practical optimization strategies to achieve a comprehensive LCA.     «

The construction process as an essential component of resource consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is often overlooked in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. This work compares LCA methods, standards, and databases related to phases A4 (transport to the building site) and A5 (installation into the building) in Germany and other leading countries. The analysis indicates that while Germany’s LCA database ¨OKOBAUDAT and the associated tool eLCA establish a foundational framework fo...     »