Dynamic life cycle assessment in environmental assessment of processes and products: A scoping review of sectoral applications, digitalization, decision support, and policy relevance
- 1CRETUS, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Abstract
Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment (dynamic-LCA) represents a notable advancement in sustainability assessment by explicitly integrating the time dimension into the evaluation of emissions, resource use, and technological performance, among others. Unlike conventional LCA, which aggregates impacts without considering their temporal distribution, dynamic-LCA models process flows, technologies, and production processes over time using temporal characterization methods and time-dependent data. In this context, this study was conducted as a scoping review using a transparent and structured search, screening, and eligibility procedure reported through a PRISMA flow diagram. Sectoral analysis reveals that the construction sector is the most studied, but, in contrast, studies combining dynamic-LCA with decision support systems are most prevalent in transport (29%) and energy (21%) sectors. Furthermore, dynamic-LCA demonstrates strong links to policy development, supporting climate-adaptive indicators, scenario-based planning, and evaluation of political interventions. This scoping review synthesizes these aspects and explores the integration of dynamic-LCA with digital tools and advanced databases to enhance temporal resolution, multi-criteria assessments, and stakeholder engagement, ultimately improving the accuracy and policy relevance of sustainability evaluations.
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BibTeX
@article{arias2026dynamic,
title = {{Dynamic life cycle assessment in environmental assessment of processes and products: A scoping review of sectoral applications, digitalization, decision support, and policy relevance}},
author = {Ana Arias and Gumersindo Feijoo and Marı́a Teresa Moreira},
journal = {Environmental Impact Assessment Review},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1016/j.eiar.2026.108552},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2026.108552},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Dynamic life cycle assessment in environmental assessment of processes and products: A scoping review of sectoral applications, digitalization, decision support, and policy relevance
AU - Ana Arias
AU - Gumersindo Feijoo
AU - Marı́a Teresa Moreira
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/08
JO - Environmental Impact Assessment Review
DO - 10.1016/j.eiar.2026.108552
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2026.108552
AB - Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment (dynamic-LCA) represents a notable advancement in sustainability assessment by explicitly integrating the time dimension into the evaluation of emissions, resource use, and technological performance, among others. Unlike conventional LCA, which aggregates impacts without considering their temporal distribution, dynamic-LCA models process flows, technologies, and production processes over time using temporal characterization methods and time-dependent data. In this context, this study was conducted as a scoping review using a transparent and structured search, screening, and eligibility procedure reported through a PRISMA flow diagram. Sectoral analysis reveals that the construction sector is the most studied, but, in contrast, studies combining dynamic-LCA with decision support systems are most prevalent in transport (29%) and energy (21%) sectors. Furthermore, dynamic-LCA demonstrates strong links to policy development, supporting climate-adaptive indicators, scenario-based planning, and evaluation of political interventions. This scoping review synthesizes these aspects and explores the integration of dynamic-LCA with digital tools and advanced databases to enhance temporal resolution, multi-criteria assessments, and stakeholder engagement, ultimately improving the accuracy and policy relevance of sustainability evaluations.
SN - 0195-9255
SN - 1873-6432
ER -