Methodological framework to find links between life cycle sustainability assessment categories and the UN Sustainable Development Goals based on literature

Datos Bibliográficos

ID19468385
AutoresMarwa Hannouf (0000-0001-6575-3036, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada, autor de correspondencia), Alejandro Padilla‐Rivera (0000-0002-8290-6804, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada), Getachew Assefa (0000-0003-3594-6202, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada), Ian D Gates (0000-0001-9551-6752, University of Calgary), Ian Gates (Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada)
Año2023
Volumen27
Número3
Páginas707-725
Fecha de publicación2023-06-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Industrial Ecology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1088-1980 • E-ISSN: 1530-9290
EditorialSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1111/jiec.13283
OpenAlexW4281493513
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas8
Referencias citadas60

Life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) can be used as a tool to understand how products and operating systems can meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, existing linkages between SDGs and LCSA are limited and an analysis of coverage in literature is needed. In this paper, we propose a generic methodological framework establishing connections between LCSA categories at micro‐level and SDGs at macro‐level based on derivation from the literature. The qualitative heuristic research method developed builds on keyword literature search, bibliometric analysis, mapping, and narrative literature review for connection rationales. By using qualitative assessment levels, an assessment of linkages between LCSA categories and SDGs reveal that “technology development,” “public commitment to sustainability issues,” “access to material resources,” and “education provided in the local community” have the highest number of reported relationships with SDGs. Twenty‐two LCSA categories were found with no direct/indirect connection with any SDG; reasons include absence of life cycle thinking perspective in SDGs and lack of sustainability‐based discussion for workers, consumers, and value chain actors' stakeholder groups. Despite these gaps, the results provide new insights for industries looking to measure the contribution of their product systems along their life cycle in the context of SDGs supporting them to some extent, to select LCSA categories with either highest number of identified relationships to SDGs or that contribute to prioritized list of SDGs. The approach provides a starting point to improve transparency and consistency of reporting of sustainability performance of product systems by connecting LCSA to the global agenda for sustainable development

Business · Economics · Environmental economics · Geography · Management · Management science · Political science · Process management · Stakeholder · Sustainability · Sustainable development · Computer Science · Engineering · Environmental Impact and Sustainability · Mathematics · Sustainable Building Design and Assessment · Sustainable Supply Chain Management · Ecology