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Social Life Cycle Assessment in the Construction Industry: Systematic Literature Review and Identification of Relevant Social Indicators for Carbon Reinforced Concrete

Author

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  • Jana Gerta Backes

    (RWTH Aachen University)

  • Marzia Traverso

    (RWTH Aachen University)

Abstract

This article deals with the application of social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) in the construction sector and explicitly focuses on carbon reinforced concrete (CRC). The publication consists of two parts: (1) a scientific literature review on the current implementation of S-LCA in the construction sector, and (2) the definition of the relevant social hotspots for the cradle-to-gate production of CRC. The literature review was conducted to provide a general overview and compare S-LCA studies in the construction sector; second, countries that provide the relevant input materials needed for CRC were identified. Analysis within the Social Hotspot Database (SHDB) helped determine the relative importance of the CRC supply country for each social category and subcategory. By developing a metric in the form of scores for each risk information, the potential risks indicated by the SHDB were measured. The results show that the focus of the indicators to be highlighted and further used in the indicator catalog is particularly in the area of labor rights and decent work in the health and safety subcategory. Missing data within the SHDB may result in a defined high average score and lead to a lower level of information. In the future, the identified 36 social indicators for CRC should be revised again in cooperation with the manufacturing industry. This study aims to further raise awareness in the construction sector of life-cycle-based sustainability that goes beyond the environmental aspects, and it is the first social hotspot screening using the SHDB for CRC.

Suggested Citation

  • Jana Gerta Backes & Marzia Traverso, 2024. "Social Life Cycle Assessment in the Construction Industry: Systematic Literature Review and Identification of Relevant Social Indicators for Carbon Reinforced Concrete," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(3), pages 7199-7233, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s10668-023-03005-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03005-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jana Gerta Backes & Marzia Traverso, 2021. "Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment—A Survey Based Potential Future Development for Implementation and Interpretation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Michael Kühnen & Rüdiger Hahn, 2017. "Indicators in Social Life Cycle Assessment: A Review of Frameworks, Theories, and Empirical Experience," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(6), pages 1547-1565, December.
    3. Seungjun Roh & Sungho Tae & Rakhyun Kim & Daniela M. Martínez, 2018. "Analysis of Worker Category Social Impacts in Different Types of Concrete Plant Operations: A Case Study in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Matthias Finkbeiner & Erwin M. Schau & Annekatrin Lehmann & Marzia Traverso, 2010. "Towards Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(10), pages 1-14, October.
    5. Catherine Benoit-Norris & Deana Aulisio Cavan & Gregory Norris, 2012. "Identifying Social Impacts in Product Supply Chains:Overview and Application of the Social Hotspot Database," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(9), pages 1-20, August.
    6. Jun Kono & York Ostermeyer & Holger Wallbaum, 2018. "Trade-Off between the Social and Environmental Performance of Green Concrete: The Case of 6 Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-14, July.
    7. David Martínez-Muñoz & Jose V. Martí & Víctor Yepes, 2022. "Social Impact Assessment Comparison of Composite and Concrete Bridge Alternatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, April.
    8. Irene Josa & Albert de la Fuente & Maria del Mar Casanovas-Rubio & Jaume Armengou & Antonio Aguado, 2021. "Sustainability-Oriented Model to Decide on Concrete Pipeline Reinforcement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-25, March.
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    10. Vicent Penadés-Plà & David Martínez-Muñoz & Tatiana García-Segura & Ignacio J. Navarro & Víctor Yepes, 2020. "Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of Optimized Post-Tensioned Concrete Road Bridges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, May.
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