Social life cycle assessment used in indigenous contexts: A critical analysis

Abstract

This paper evaluates the method Social Life Cycle Assessment (S‐LCA) from the perspectives of Indigenous methodologies and Indigenous standpoint, in order to identify some strengths and limitations of using S‐LCA in Indigenous contexts. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to measure environmental impacts connected with all stages of the life cycle of a commercial product, process, or service. S‐LCA is a methodology designed to include the social aspects of sustainability in the LCA methodology. S‐LCA emphasizes stakeholder involvement and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) S‐LCA guidelines (2020) lists Indigenous communities as possible stakeholders. With a focus on Indigenous communities in the Arctic region we also include comparative aspects from Australia to generate new conceptualizations and understandings. The paper concludes that S‐LCA has the potential to facilitate opposing worldviews and with some further developments can be a valuable methodology for Indigenous contexts.