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Social life cycle assessment of biofuel production 259

collection. In addition, some databases have been established, for example,
the Global Trade Analysis Project database and the Social Hotspot Data-
base (SHDB). However, results with generic data from statistical databases
are approximate and site-specific data may reflect social impacts more
ˇ
c
accurately (Zhou et al., 2018). According to Zivkovi et al. (2017),acom-
prehensive SLCA is not yet possible and improvement is suggested through
the development of a universal set of indicators, databases for social aspects,
and well-functioning models. Contreras-Lisperguer et al. (2018),indicate
the indicators that may suggest a positive potential, depending on the
introduction of a relevant organizational policy and/or the type of certifi-
cation requested. These are (i) Number/percentage of injuries, illnesses,
and fatal accidents in the organization by qualification of work within
the company. (ii) Presence of formal policies on equal opportunities
(working conditions). (iii) Lower paid workers compared to the country’s
minimum wage (Working Conditions). (iv) Has the organization devel-
oped a project-related infrastructure with mutual access and benefit to
the community? (v) Strength of training and (re)qualification policies
and practices (duration and type of training/qualifications plus eligibility
by age, experience, qualifications, local life); (vi) strength of the organiza-
tional risk assessment in relation to the potential of conflict of material
resources. (vii) The employment is not conditioned by any restrictions
on the right to collective bargaining (Working Conditions).
(viii) Workers voluntarily agree on the terms of employment. Employment
contracts stipulate salary, working time, vacation, and terms of waiver.
Work contracts are understandable to the workers and kept on file.
(ix) Absence of underage child workers (Human Rights—Child Labor).
(x) Policies/organizational efforts to reduce unpaid time spent by women
and children who collect biomass. (xi) Local mortality rates and disease
burden attributable to indoor smoke.
According to Valente et al. (2018), scientific research on the theoretical
framework on SLCA has increased, but many methods and different
approaches are currently available, leading to the subjective interpretation
of the results. It is still difficult for practitioners to understand how to con-
duct an assessment and few empirical examples are available. SLCA is still in
its infancy and needs to be applied to develop best practices. The two meth-
odologies addressed the performance of bioethanol and biochemical pro-
duction in two different dimensions (environmental and social), and their
combination allows to achieve results that integrate the product-specific
approach of the locality.