Life cycle assessment as a decision-making tool for sustainable engineering in U.S: Methods, standards, and industrial applications

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has evolved from a static environmental accounting tool into an increasingly important decision-support tool for sustainable engineering. In the United States, its relevance has expanded alongside industrial decarbonization targets, circular economy strategies, and rising demand for transparent environmental product evaluation. This review synthesizes recent peer-reviewed literature on methodological advances, standardization, and industrial applications of LCA, with emphasis on developments that strengthen its practical role in engineering decisions. Attention is given to digital innovations such as machine learning, sensor-enabled inventory generation, dynamic and prospective modeling, and integration with complementary decision tools. Across sectors, the literature demonstrates that LCA is most influential when introduced early in design and planning, where it supports trade-off analysis among environmental, economic, and performance objectives. Evidence from construction, transportation, aerospace, and manufacturing indicates that methodological sophistication is expanding faster than institutional adoption, largely because data quality, scenario assumptions, and reporting consistency remain uneven. Emerging standards, including the International Organization for Standardization ISO 14075, further indicate a shift toward broader sustainability assessment that includes social dimensions. We conclude that recent developments suggest that LCA is becoming a strategic tool for engineering decisions. However, wider impact will depend on stronger data harmonization, methodological transparency, and improved integration into routine professional practice. This review also identifies gaps that must be addressed for LCA to support broader sustainability goals.