Enhancing social life cycle assessment through stakeholder engagement: Development of a new cellulose-based material

Abstract

Existing literature often focuses on environmental or economic impacts, leaving a gap in comprehensive social impact evaluations. Many studies lack robust methodologies for context-specific approaches on Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA), particularly regarding the selection of meaningful social indicators, systematic stakeholder involvement, and integration of results into a coherent assessment framework. This research addresses these gaps by proposing a new multi-methodological approach for conducting S-LCA, specifically designed to support context-specific assessments through an enhanced stakeholders' engagement plan.

The proposed approach categorizes stakeholders based on power and interest, enabling targeted engagement and the development of tailored interventions. It also integrates participatory techniques for indicator validation and applies semi-quantitative tools to translate qualitative inputs into structured scores. Additionally, it connects stakeholder classification with the prioritization of social risks and benefits, ensuring that engagement efforts are aligned with the most relevant impact areas. To demonstrate its applicability, the approach was applied to a case study involving sustainable cellulose-based materials for automotive and maritime components. The case study illustrates how the framework enhances stakeholder inclusion, supports the identification of social hotspots, and guides the design of responsive engagement actions, showcasing its adaptability to diverse industrial contexts and complex value chains.

The results demonstrate significant social benefits, including job creation, fair labor practices, and technological advancement, while also identifying critical risks such as occupational health and safety concerns, environmental ergonomics, and potential employability impacts related to the adoption of advanced technologies.

The study's implications are far-reaching, offering a replicable and adaptable methodological framework for future context-specific S-LCA applications. It underscores the relevance of integrated social impact assessments and effective stakeholder engagement strategies to support socially sustainable innovation in industrial systems.