What is Social-LCA..?

Introduction

Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is a powerful methodology that evaluates the social and sociological aspects of products throughout their entire life cycle. It explores the social and human consequences of product life. Unlike life cycle assessments that primarily focus on environmental impacts, S-LCA considers both positive and negative effects on people involved in the production, use, and disposal of products.

Key Concepts

Holistic Perspective: S-LCA recognizes a product’s impact on the well-being of workers, communities, and society at large. By examining social aspects, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability.

Life Cycle Stages: S-LCA covers 4 life cycle stages:

• Raw Material Extraction: Assessing the social implications of resource extraction, including labor conditions, community displacement, and indigenous rights.
• Manufacturing: Examining worker safety, fair wages, and social equity within factories.
• Distribution and Use: Considering the impact on end-users, including health and safety aspects.
• End-of-Life: Evaluating recycling, disposal, and the social consequences of waste management.

Indicators: S-LCA employs indicators to quantify social performance. These include:

• Human Rights: Ensuring respect for fundamental human rights throughout the supply chain.
• Labor Practices: Assessing fair wages, working hours, child labor, and occupational health.
• Community Well-Being: Examining community engagement, local employment, and cultural heritage preservation.

Challenges

• Data Availability: Gathering reliable social data can be challenging, especially for small suppliers.
• Subjectivity: Assigning weights and interpreting impact significance involve subjective judgment.
• Complexity: Integrating social aspects into existing life cycle assessments requires expertise.

Remember, sustainable products aren’t just about materials—they’re about the lives they touch. ????

References:

1.???? Yang, S., Ma, K., Liu, Z., Ren, J., & Man, Y. (2020). . In?Life cycle sustainability assessment for decision-making?(pp. 95-124). Elsevier.

2.???? https://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/starting-life-cycle-thinking/life-cycle-approaches/social-lca/

3.???? https://www.unep.org/resources/report/guidelines-social-life-cycle-assessment-products

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