A dynamic weighting system considering temporal variations using the DTT approach in LCA of buildings
Abstract
Weighting is an important step that supports comparison and decision-making in the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of buildings. However, temporal variations of weighting systems have not been adequately studied. Given the increasing demand of addressing time issues in LCA, this study attempts to develop a dynamic weighting system. Three common weighting approaches—expert panel, monetization, and DTT (distance-to-target)—are compared, and the DTT approach is selected for utilization. Temporal variations of emission targets and resource characteristics are considered in the new weighting system, which includes short-term, medium-term, and long-term weighting factors. The dynamic weighting system makes it possible to quantify environmental impacts with temporal-varying environmental policies and planning, and the assessment results could better guide design improvements with various environmental priorities in different periods considered. A residential building is taken as case to test the operability of the new weighting system. The significant difference between the assessment results weighted by the traditional versus the dynamic weighting systems indicates the necessity of considering temporal variations.
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Monetization is mainly based on economic criteria, which are quantitative but unrepresentative at the level of predictability and future feasibility.
“and monetization is mainly based on economic criteria, which are quantitative but unrepresentative at the level of predictability and future feasibility [132].”
From Assessing the future prospects of emerging technologies for shipping and aviation biofuels: A critical review (2024) · cites this paper as [132]
Expert judgment is conditioned by moral criteria, education and personal knowledge.
“while expert judgment is conditioned by moral criteria, education and personal knowledge”
From Assessing the future prospects of emerging technologies for shipping and aviation biofuels: A critical review (2024) · cites this paper as [132]
The distance-to-target (DTT) approach has the highest quantifiability, predictability and feasibility among dynamic weighting methods.
“The DTT approach is considered to have the highest quantifiability, predictability and feasi bility, as it is based on emission targets and resource use management”
From Assessing the future prospects of emerging technologies for shipping and aviation biofuels: A critical review (2024) · cites this paper as [132]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Su, S., Zhu, C., & Li, X.
- Affiliations
- Southeast University (CN)
- Tsinghua University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Li, Xiaodong
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Cleaner Production
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2019-05
- Volume
- 220
- Pages
- 398-407
- ISSN
- 0959-6526 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2911454029
- Cited by
- 42
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 1.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Cleaner Production (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC0704400)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Sustainable Building Design and Assessment
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Accounting › Life Cycle Costing Analysis
- Keywords
- temporal variation, building life cycle assessment, emission targets, environmental policy, residential buildings
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