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Data from: A review of building-scale LCA tools: recent trends, gaps and future directions

Torabi, Mahsa1; Huang, Monica1; Evins, Ralph2; Simonen, Kathrina1; Life Cycle Lab, College of Built Environment, University of Washington

Published May 13, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.905qftv17

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Abstract

In response to global climate targets and the growing need for a more sustainable built environment, the building industry is undergoing a rapid transition toward low-carbon, zero-carbon, and increasingly carbon-negative design strategies. This shift is driven by the development of new materials and technologies that enable carbon reduction and sequestration within the built environment. However, current Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools have not evolved at the same pace and often rely on conventional materials, assumptions, and datasets. As a result, questions remain regarding the extent to which existing tools support net-zero and carbon-positive design. Moreover, the increasing number of tools with varying scopes, datasets, and analytical capabilities presents a challenge for users in selecting the most appropriate tool for their needs. To address these gaps, an extensive review of building-scale LCA tools has been conducted, providing information on active tools that are widely used in North America.

For data collection, a structured characterization framework was developed by combining insights from a targeted literature review with input from relevant stakeholders to identify key features that support net-zero and carbon-positive building design. Using this framework, data were systematically collected for thirteen actively maintained and widely used building-scale LCA tools. Information on tools was compiled and organized to enable consistent comparison across tools. The collected data were reviewed and validated in collaboration with tool developers and owners to ensure accuracy, completeness, and to provide an up-to-date representation of each tool’s capabilities.

This dataset can help LCA practitioners and sustainability analysts make informed decisions when selecting appropriate LCA tools based on project scope and expected functionalities. It may also support tool developers and researchers in identifying gaps in existing tools and developing more advanced methods and tools to better integrate LCA into building design and performance assessment.

This dataset was developed as part of the Parametric Open Data for Life Cycle Assessment Project (POD|LCA) Project which contains a suite of open-source methods, models, data, and a variety of tools for screening-level (early-stage) building sector life cycle assessments (LCAs). This dataset can be used to fill data gaps in LCA studies. It provides a characterization of building-scale LCA tools, enabling the identification of gaps within the LCA tool ecosystem and their capacity to support carbon-positive design. The dataset can also inform tool selection for LCA practitioners across the building industry. Please refer to the corresponding article for additional details. For more information on the POD|LCA project, please visit https://www.lifecyclelab.org/project/pod-lca/