Mapping the future of sustainable construction: Review on digitalisation and life cycle assessment trends in Asia-pacific

The construction industry is a major contributor to climate change, particularly in the fast-urbanising Asia-Pacific region. Infrastructure development exacerbates environmental impacts, highlighting the urgent need for decarbonisation strategies in the built environment. Integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with digital technologies, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Twin (DT) presents a viable approach to enhancing energy efficiency and minimising embedded carbon across the construction lifecycle. These technologies facilitate knowledge representation, informed decision-making, and actionable insights for reducing carbon footprints, improving building services, and optimising operational energy use. However, previous research has primarily focused on technical aspects, with limited exploration of industry stakeholders’ perspectives on adopting digital tools for sustainable construction. This study bridges the gap by analysing bibliometric findings and survey datasets on (1) the current application of LCA and digital technologies in low-carbon building materials, building retrofit strategies, and renewable energy integration, and (2) stakeholder awareness and perceptions regarding these innovations. The findings highlight the potential of digital solutions to drive sustainability in the sector, yet adoption remains limited. Statistical correlations between stakeholder awareness and perceptions underscore the role of engineering informatics in addressing this gap. Key barriers include data interoperability, cross-sector collaboration, and regional challenges. This study reinforces the importance of regulatory frameworks, policy mechanisms, and global cooperation in advancing retrofit strategies and net-zero construction practices.