A Systems Guide to Sustainable Construction Across the Project Life Cycle: A Technical Review from Impacts to Interventions

Abstract

Sustainable construction practices and robust waste management strategies provide a viable pathway to mitigate these challenges. By integrating resource-efficient design, circular economy principles, and environmentally responsible technologies, the industry can significantly reduce its ecological burden. This paper presents a synthesis of environmental impacts from construction and a practical playbook of interventions spanning design, delivery, operations, and end-of-life. The study is organized as a systems guide: mapping life-cycle impact pathways (materials, energy, emissions, runoff, and noise) and pairing each with project-level governance, metrics, and technologies-eco-design, circularity, BIM and LCA, stormwater compliance, and performance-based certification. Recent policy and market updates (EPA’s 2022 Construction General Permit; LEED v4 energy update effective March 1, 2024; global buildings status reports) and introduce four original schematics for implementation. This technical review provides actionable guidance for owners, designers, and constructors to reduce waste, air and water pollution, and noise while improving project outcomes and community well-being.