Social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) of technology systems at different stages of development

Social aspects are key to accepting and deploying emerging technologies, but it remains unclear what and how technology developers should consider social aspects at different technology readiness levels (TRLs). Here, we present new taxonomy of social subcategories for technology systems at different stages of development using TRLs. A new step-by-step TRL-based process is proposed for conducting social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) within different phases of technology development, spanning TRL 4 to 7.

First, we identify subcategories proposed in the S-LCA guidelines by determining subcategories with varying dependency on technology features, differentiating between the social subcategories relevant to technology features, the social subcategories with relevance that depends on the technology type, and the social subcategories independent of technology features. The criteria used to build the subcategories include the level of dependency of subcategories on technology features and existence of direct impact of technology systems on subcategories. Second, we divide the technology development stages into phases using TRLs and linking their relevance to the conduct of S-LCA considering different aspects including involved actors, targeted audience, data availability, uncertainty, and opportunity to influence with less cost.

The new taxonomy of subcategories within TRLs phases developed here not only led to the creation of new subcategories but also, in some cases, to new stakeholder groups relevant to the TRL phase. Based on this taxonomy, a new step-by-step TRL-based process for practitioners to conduct S-LCA was devised as follows. For TRL 4–7, data is needed for (1) social aspects relevant to technology features and (2) social aspects related to process of development and social acceptance. For TRL 8–9, data is needed for (1) social aspects related to social performance of companies and (2) social aspects related to supply chain performance. Based on performance evaluation results, S-LCA identifies potential improvements to address social challenges that limit a satisfied performance.

Most S-LCA studies are conducted on technology systems that are existing and well-developed or close to commercialization when it is too late and too little to influence critical decisions. However, this study, for the first time, provides guidance for practitioners including technology developers, industry, and S-LCA analysts in conducting social performance assessment for technology systems at earlier stages of development where opportunities are high.