Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.3390/su12031259
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) A regional socio-economic life cycle assessment of a bioeconomy value chain
Author Jarosch, L.; Zeug, W.; Bezama, A.; Finkbeiner, M.; Thrän, D.
Source Titel Sustainability
Year 2020
Department BIOENERGIE
Volume 12
Issue 3
Page From art. 1259
Language englisch
Supplements https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/3/1259/s1
Keywords bioeconomy; social life cycle assessment; S-LCA; regionalized LCA; regional value chains; SDGs
Abstract A bioeconomy tackles sustainable development at both the global and regional levels, as it relies on the optimized use of renewable bio-based resources for the provisioning of food, materials, and energy to meet societal demands. The effects of the bioeconomy can be best observed at a regional level, as it supports regional development and affects the social dimension of sustainability. In order to assess the social impacts of wood-based production chains with regional differentiation, the social life cycle assessment framework “RESPONSA” was established in 2018. We present an initial study, in which this method is applied to an exemplary production chain in a case study of laminated veneer lumber produced in central Germany. The results show a relatively better social performance compared to the reference economic sector, reflecting a relatively low rate of female employees as a major social hotspot. Several social opportunities are identified, in terms of health and safety, equal opportunities, and adequate remuneration, for the organization taking part in the value chain. Finally, considering the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a global normative framework, a number of additional indicators for RESPONSA, as well as further developments and recommendations regarding its application in other regions and the upcoming social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) guidelines, are identified.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=22780
Jarosch, L., Zeug, W., Bezama, A., Finkbeiner, M., Thrän, D. (2020):
A regional socio-economic life cycle assessment of a bioeconomy value chain
Sustainability 12 (3), art. 1259 10.3390/su12031259