Social sustainability

Sonia Valdivia, Natalia A. Cano and Guido Sonnemann

Chapter 159 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment, 2026, pp 592-597 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Social sustainability is gaining momentum as a critical component of sustainable development, supported by increased awareness, regulations, and methodologies such as Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA). Social sustainability addresses key issues, including social cohesion, inclusion, resilience, and process legitimacy, as emphasized by institutions like the World Bank, United Nations, and European Union. At the business level, S-LCA offers a robust framework to evaluate social impacts across supply chains, addressing stakeholder concerns such as health, safety, human rights, and gender equity. Despite advancements, challenges persist in integrating social considerations into decision-making, with economic and environmental aspects often prioritized. The S-LCA guidelines provide step-by-step methodologies to identify and manage both positive and negative social impacts, with an emphasis on stakeholder engagement and actionable insights. Incorporating social sustainability into policies and practices is essential to address societal pressures and enhance well-being, equity, and living conditions for current and future generations.

Keywords: S-LCA; Stakeholder engagement; Supply chain; Gender equity; Human rights; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035309887
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