The role of life cycle assessment in achieving sustainable development

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the conceptual, methodological, and policy-oriented dimensions of LCA, with a particular focus on its role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study begins by outlining the theoretical foundations and historical evolution of LCA, followed by a detailed overview of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. It further categorizes the main types of LCA and presents the four methodological phases. Through this lens, the article critically explores how LCA can support resource efficiency, reduce environmental burdens, and align with specific SDGs, particularly goals 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 12 (responsible consumption and production), and 13 (climate action). In the second part, the paper addresses existing methodological and institutional challenges, such as data scarcity, limited social LCA maturity, methodological inconsistencies, and difficulties in integrating LCA with policymaking frameworks. Despite these constraints, the analysis reveals growing global interest in embedding LCA into national sustainability strategies, especially in light of increasing demands for transparency, accountability, and integrated governance. The combination of LCA with tools such as machine learning, environmental impact assessments (EIA), and social indicators demonstrates its potential in addressing complex trade-offs among environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The final analysis highlights that LCA is not merely a technical tool but also a policy enabler and narrative-shaping mechanism in the pursuit of sustainable development. The study concludes with a call for mainstreaming LCA in sustainability governance and reframing it as a strategic asset for long-term development planning.