Which term describes the total environmental impact of a building's life cycle?

• A. The financial cost of construction.
• B. The number of occupants.
• C. The area of land required for the building.
• D. The total environmental impact of a building's life cycle.

Answer: (D)

Measuring the total environmental impact of a building across its life is described by a life-cycle assessment. This approach looks at every phase from raw material extraction and manufacturing through construction, use, maintenance, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. It tallies energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, resource depletion, and waste across the whole life of the building, giving a complete picture of its environmental footprint. That broad scope is why this term fits best, since the other options focus on cost, occupancy, or site area—each important in its own right, but not the full environmental story across the building’s life.