Mexican Sustainability Classification in Construction: Brief Review of Carbon, Life Cycle, and Water Footprints

Sustainability has gained widespread recognition on a global scale. Yet, its interpretation varies among researchers who may lack familiarity with their specific field’s diverse criteria or possibilities. In the Mexican context, there is a dedicated effort to advance the development of new materials and sustainable processes for construction. Despite commendable initiatives, a significant issue arises from the insufficient determination of the environmental impact of these innovative materials. This gap is particularly pronounced in the swiftly evolving construction sector, where vernacular practices may align with sustainability criteria, but their environmental implications remain uncertain. To address this discrepancy, we propose a protocol brief review approach, providing a systematic method for evaluating the sustainability of materials or processes applied in construction. This approach underscores the importance of contextualizing sustainability criteria, recognizing that what may be considered sustainable in one environmental context may not hold the same designation in another. From a quantitative perspective, the proposal introduces a structured justification framework. This framework aims to guide researchers in articulating and substantiating claims regarding the sustainability of a given element, whether affirming or denying its status as sustainable. By integrating these considerations, this paper aims to enhance the precision and comprehensiveness of sustainability assessments within the construction realm. This contribution seeks to foster a more informed and nuanced understanding of the environmental impact of materials and processes in this dynamic field.