Social impact improving model based on a novel social life cycle assessment for raw rubber production: A case of a Sri Lankan rubber estate

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130555
• Publication Date: 2022-01-19T07:29:05Z
• Authors: Pasan Dunuwila; V.H.L. Rodrigo; Ichiro Daigo; Naohiro Goto
• Keywords: Impact assessment

Raw rubber production is the foundation of natural product industry. Despite various social issues (e.g., substandard working conditions) reported in raw production, literature focusing on impacts has been limited. Although life cycle assessment (SLCA) a popular tool to assess or process, no any functional unit so far developed here due difficulty linking intangible physical flows. Furthermore, methodologies available SLCA are insufficient for foreseeing benefits after addressing hotspots derived from study. On this background, study aimed at improving performances using novel method above said lacunas. The Stakeholder impact (SSI) and Social categorical (SIC) indexes salient components as they quantify stakeholders' perspective overall geopolitical perspective, referring unit, respectively. As pilot study, was applied estate Sri Lanka where crepe produced. "Social benefits/security" "health safety" workers were identified most vulnerable factors affecting production. Further, countermeasures proposed found be effective these elements by 25% 70%, respectively burden ca. 12% indicated SIC index. Potential use SSI index country level benchmarking possible implications adopting methodology other geographical areas and/or industries discussed.