A ternary framework for classifying and analyzing D-LCA across sectors: A systematic review

Abstract

Traditional life cycle assessment (LCA) typically relies on static data, which makes it difficult to capture the dynamic spatial and temporal variations inherent in real-world systems, leading to potential biases between assessment results and actual environmental impacts. Dynamic life cycle assessment (D-LCA) addresses this issue by integrating dynamic changes. However, the inconsistent definitions and various dynamic characteristics in different sectors have hindered its applications. This study proposes a novel ternary conceptual framework comprising independent, intermediate, and dependent variables, designed to systematically classify and elucidate dynamic characteristics and their influence mechanisms across various sectors. Through a descriptive statistics of 256 D-LCA publications, this study synthesizes applications of this framework across six key sectors: construction, manufacturing, energy, agriculture and forestry, transportation, and water and waste services. The results reveal an imbalanced focus across sectors, with 74 studies concentrated in the construction sector. Most studies focused on temporal rather than spatial dynamics, with electricity mix being the most common intermediate variable. Furthermore, in the absence of a widely accepted definition of D-LCA, the classification of research types remains ambiguous. The proposed ternary framework offers valuable insights into interpreting dynamic characteristics across sectors. This study also elucidates dynamic characteristics, offering critical direction for future investigations.