Life Cycle Assessment of Low-Carbon Concrete

We are pleased to introduce this Special Issue of the Magazine of Concrete Research on Life Cycle Assessment of Low-Carbon Concrete. The construction industry is under mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions and transition toward more sustainable practices across the entire life cycle of the built environment. Concrete, as the most widely used construction material in the world, plays a central role in this transition. However, its production, particularly the manufacture of Portland cement, remains one of the largest industrial sources of CO₂ emissions. Addressing this challenge requires innovative materials, methods, and analytical frameworks that can reduce embodied carbon without compromising durability, reliability, or structural performance.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive platform for advancing both scientific understanding and practical strategies related to the environmental assessment of low-carbon concrete. The collected papers demonstrate the power of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a tool to quantify, compare, and ultimately minimize environmental impacts across all stages of concrete’s life from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to service life performance and end-of-life management.

The contributions in this issue reflect a broad range of approaches aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of concrete. These include studies on low-carbon binders, supplementary cementitious materials, recycled aggregates, bio-based and geopolymer concretes, and carbon capture and utilization technologies. Several papers employ LCA methodologies to evaluate embodied carbon, energy consumption, and environmental trade-offs, while others explore how digital tools and data-driven methods can enhance sustainability assessment. In particular, the integration of LCA with Building Information Modelling (BIM), AI-based decision support, durability modelling, and circular economy frameworks is highlighted as a promising direction for future development.

This Special Issue also emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between research, practice, and policy. The studies presented here illustrate how rigorous LCA methodologies can inform performance-based design, guide material selection, and support decision-making toward carbon neutrality. By connecting technical innovation with broader sustainability objectives, the articles collectively provide a roadmap for achieving meaningful reductions in the carbon intensity of concrete construction.

As Guest Editors, we extend our sincere appreciation to all authors who contributed their high-quality research, to the reviewers for their insightful and constructive feedback, and to the editorial team of the Magazine of Concrete Research for their continued support and professionalism.

We hope that this Special Issue will serve as both a reference and an inspiration for researchers, engineers, and policymakers striving to develop and implement sustainable, low-carbon concrete technologies. Through ongoing collaboration and innovation, we believe the insights shared here will help shape a more sustainable and resilient future for the global concrete industry.

Submissions Information

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Professor Xiaolu Guo, Professor Tung-Chai Ling