Comparison and analysis of life cycle assessment methods

Abstract

The goal of this study is to evaluate three different life cycle assessments such as OneClick LCA, OI3-Index, and EU-Taxonomy, and to apply them to a case study, a residential 7-storey building in Vienna. The results of the selected LCA methods will be compared, and further analysis will address various causes of discrepancies.Additionally, the thesis focuses on extensive literature research on three LCA methods and includes an overview of state-of-the-art literature, covering aspects such as temporal system boundaries, life cycle phases, environmental indicators, and databases used for each of the evaluated life cycle assessment methods.Another essential topic in the frames of this master thesis is the evaluation of certification systems, their characteristics and compatibility with LCA methods.The results have shown significant discrepancies between the methods throughout the life cycle of a building. The findings provide insights into understanding the dependencies of LCA methods from various factors, and in conclusion, recommendations for sustainable decision-making practices in the building industry have been created.This study offers improvements in life cycle assessment calculations for future researchers by providing a comprehensive analysis of LCA methodologies.