Social LCA

Question 1

What does the S-LCA do?

Answer 1

• Identify social hotspots
• Evaluate social impact/footprint/handprint
• Assess potential impacts of a policy or investment choice

Question 2

What are the goals of S-LCA?

Answer 2

• Better know and manage risks
• Promote innovation
• Improve company positioning
• Inform decisions

Question 3

How can the functional unit in S-LCA be described?

Answer 3

Materials and energy have very little to do with social impacts, unlike traditional functional units in LCA

Question 4

Which social impacts are assessed?

Answer 4

• Those that affect the stakeholders of the organizations and product involved
• Those related to categories and subcategories of impacts, related to human well being

Question 5

What impact categories are considered in S-LCA?

Answer 5

Human rights 
Working conditions
Health and safety 
Socio-economic repercussions
Cultural heritage 
Governance

Question 6

What different points of reference can be used for assessment?

Answer 6

• Conventions
• Best practice
• Geographical Location
• Laws and regulations
• Comparison with peers

Question 7

What is the activity variable in S-LCA?

Answer 7

Variable that fluctuates along the life cycle in accordance with the importance of the steps in the life cycle

most often used: workers hours of work

Question 8

What units are used for the results of S-LCA?

Answer 8

Mrh-eq: “medium risk hour-equivalent units”

Question 9

For the tire case study, what were some conclusions on social hotspots along the life cycle?

Answer 9

Fuel Brazil for Use (Very High) : corrupt, non decent salary, health and safety, hours of work
Natural Rubber from Indonesia (High): child labour, non decent salary, social benefits, hours of work, precariousness
Retreating (green)