A Comprehensive Review of Sustainable Life Cycle Assessment in Residential Buildings

ABSTRACT Global warming stands as one of the most critical environmental challenges facing humanity today. Among its major contributors, residential buildings account for nearly one‐third of global greenhouse gas emissions and over 40% of global energy consumption. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has emerged as a key methodological tool to evaluate the environmental impacts of buildings across their entire life span from material extraction to demolition. This paper presents an updated systematic review of building‐related LCA studies, aiming to highlight current progress, recurring challenges, and potential future directions in the field. The methodology includes a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, emphasizing key LCA parameters such as system boundaries, functional units, life span assumptions, impact characterization methods, and service life considerations. The study identifies common research gaps and inconsistencies in building LCAs and outlines recommendations for improving data reliability and methodological consistency. Furthermore, the review discusses the limitations and assumptions made in prior studies, which can significantly influence LCA outcomes. This paper proposes several future research pathways aimed at addressing these challenges and enhancing the robustness and comparability of building LCA studies. By doing so, it contributes to the development of more sustainable building practices and informed decision‐making in the construction sector.