SUSTAINABILITY METRICS IN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE: A REVIEW OF LEED, LIFECYCLE COSTING, AND WASTE REDUCTION IN CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive meta-analytical review of sustainability metrics employed in green infrastructure, focusing on three dominant evaluative domains: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, Lifecycle Costing (LCC), and construction waste reduction strategies. Drawing upon a systematic analysis of 67 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024, the review synthesizes the methodological frameworks, empirical outcomes, and sectoral applications of these metrics across various geographical and economic contexts. The study adheres to PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparency and reproducibility in article selection, data extraction, and synthesis. Findings indicate that while LEED remains the most widely adopted and globally recognized standard, its performance varies significantly across regions, with notable differences in adaptation and outcomes in North America, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Lifecycle costing emerges as a crucial economic lens that enhances decision-making and long-term financial planning in green building projects, yet its integration remains limited due to institutional inertia and data complexity. Waste reduction metrics—anchored in circular economy principles—demonstrate strong environmental and operational benefits, particularly when aligned with modular construction and adaptive reuse strategies. The review also uncovers significant redundancies among metric frameworks, a lack of standardized post-certification performance tracking, and an urgent need for harmonization across sustainability evaluation tools. Through cross-comparative analysis, this study provides evidence-backed insights into the synergies and trade-offs among sustainability metrics and identifies critical knowledge gaps that must be addressed to support integrated, context-sensitive green infrastructure development. The results underscore the importance of multi-criteria evaluation approaches and offer policy and practice recommendations for stakeholders seeking to enhance the environmental, economic, and material performance of infrastructure projects in a measurable and scalable manner.