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Achieving Sustainable Development Goals Through Social Life Cycle Assessment: A Case Study of P ortuguese Forest Wood Supply Chains

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Social considerations are often overlooked in efforts to achieve sustainable development, despite being critical for building equitable and resilient global value chains. This study addresses this gap by applying a social life cycle assessment to three key Portuguese forest wood supply chains—uncoated woodfree paper, natural cork stoppers, and particleboards—to identify and understand the societal challenges associated with these supply chains. By modeling these supply chains, four key social issues and five major hotspots contributing significantly to these issues were identified. Building upon these findings, this paper provides targeted mitigation strategies for various supply chain partners, helping them integrate social dimensions into operational and strategic decision‐making. Implementing these recommendations not only enhances the social footprint of the supply chains under analysis but also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically, Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16). In doing so, this study underscores the importance of integrating social considerations into sustainability assessments to foster more equitable and responsible supply chains.

Source: Sustainable Development

DOI: 10.1002/sd.70968

Authors: Andreia Santos, Madalena Veloso, Ana Barbosa‐Póvoa, Ana Carvalho

Institutions: Instituto Superior Técnico, Centro de Estudos de Gestão

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Decent work and economic growth, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,250