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Social Aspects Considered in a Life Cycle Assessment

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive tool used to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of a product or process throughout its entire life cycle. While the environmental and economic aspects are often the focus of LCAs, it is crucial to also consider the social aspects to ensure a holistic understanding of sustainability.

When conducting an LCA, several social aspects are taken into account to assess the potential social impacts associated with a product or process. These aspects include:

• Human health and safety: This aspect evaluates the potential risks and impacts on human health and safety throughout the life cycle of a product or process. It considers factors such as exposure to hazardous substances, occupational health and safety, and impacts on local communities.
• Working conditions: Assessing the working conditions involves evaluating the labor practices and conditions within the supply chain of a product or process. This includes aspects such as fair wages, working hours, worker rights, and the presence of child labor or forced labor.
• Community well-being: This aspect focuses on the impacts of a product or process on the social fabric and well-being of local communities. It considers factors such as access to basic services, community engagement, cultural heritage preservation, and the overall quality of life.
• Social equity: Social equity examines the distribution of benefits and burdens associated with a product or process across different social groups. It aims to ensure fairness and justice in the allocation of resources, opportunities, and impacts, taking into account factors such as income inequality, social inclusion, and marginalized communities.
• Local and indigenous knowledge: This aspect recognizes and values the traditional knowledge and practices of local and indigenous communities. It considers the impacts of a product or process on the preservation and transmission of this knowledge, as well as the potential for collaboration and mutual learning.

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By considering these social aspects in a Life Cycle Assessment, sustainability practitioners can identify potential social risks and opportunities associated with a product or process. This enables them to make informed decisions and implement strategies that promote social well-being, equity, and inclusivity alongside environmental and economic considerations.

Keywords: social, product, process, aspects, impacts, potential, communities, assessment, environmental