Transparent or Hidden Choices: Exploring Perceptions and Practices of LCA in Building Projects

This project investigates the alignment between methodological considerations and the perceptions of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) practitioners, and how these factors shape the role of LCA in driving sustainability in the construction sector. Taking a social constructivist approach, the study employs a mixed-methods design, analysing the communication of methodological choices and results in 16 Danish building LCAs, complemented by eight interviews with LCA practitioners. The findings reveal that practitioners struggle to effectively communicate LCA results, particularly balancing the need for transparency with delivering clear, actionable information. Consequently, LCA is often reduced to a compliance tool, with a predominant focus on Global Warming Potential (GWP) results. This narrow application limits LCA’s potential to foster broader sustainability objectives, as its effectiveness depends on the understanding and use of the method by stakeholders. Linking to Choice Awareness Theory we argue that practitioners experience and “illusion of choice” which may reduce trust in LCA results.