Author: Jackeline de Siqueira Castro, Bianca Barros Marangon, Nayara Vilela Avelar, Vinícius José Ribeiro, Rafael Carvalho Nogueira da Gama, Maurino Magno de Jesus Junior, Juscimar da Silva, Maria Lúcia Calijuri
Citation: de Siqueira Castro, Jackeline, et al. "Paths to sustainable agriculture: Social life cycle assessment of fertilizers and biofertilizers in perspective." Journal of Environmental Management 404 (2026): 129406.
Abstract:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479726008662
Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is a key tool for evaluating social impacts across product life cycles. In agriculture, particularly for fertilizers and biofertilizers, S-LCA offers insights into labor conditions, community well-being, and equity along the value chain. This review highlights methodological approaches, integrated frameworks, and challenges such as limited sector-specific data, methodological inconsistencies, and low reproducibility. The UNEP/SETAC guidelines are emphasized for their stakeholder-based approach aligned with Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (E-LCA). The integration of environmental, economic, and social aspects through Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) is also discussed. Barriers include public resistance to waste-based products, regulatory gaps, and technological limits. However, participatory methods, improved data granularity, and alignment with other sustainability tools have advanced S-LCA's relevance. Tailoring S-LCA to agricultural systems and aligning it with E-LCA, Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and ESG frameworks is crucial to strengthen sustainability assessments and support inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven agriculture.
Author: Jackeline de Siqueira Castro, Bianca Barros Marangon, Nayara Vilela Avelar, Vinícius José Ribeiro, Rafael Carvalho Nogueira da Gama, Maurino Magno de Jesus Junior, Juscimar da Silva, Maria Lúcia Calijuri
Citation: de Siqueira Castro, Jackeline, et al. "Paths to sustainable agriculture: Social life cycle assessment of fertilizers and biofertilizers in perspective." Journal of Environmental Management 404 (2026): 129406.
Abstract:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479726008662
Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is a key tool for evaluating social impacts across product life cycles. In agriculture, particularly for fertilizers and biofertilizers, S-LCA offers insights into labor conditions, community well-being, and equity along the value chain. This review highlights methodological approaches, integrated frameworks, and challenges such as limited sector-specific data, methodological inconsistencies, and low reproducibility. The UNEP/SETAC guidelines are emphasized for their stakeholder-based approach aligned with Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (E-LCA). The integration of environmental, economic, and social aspects through Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) is also discussed. Barriers include public resistance to waste-based products, regulatory gaps, and technological limits. However, participatory methods, improved data granularity, and alignment with other sustainability tools have advanced S-LCA's relevance. Tailoring S-LCA to agricultural systems and aligning it with E-LCA, Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and ESG frameworks is crucial to strengthen sustainability assessments and support inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven agriculture.