Exploring Social Sustainability Handprint—Part 1: Handprint and Life Cycle Thinking and Approaches

Roope Husgafvel

doi:10.3390/su132011286

Abstract

Sustainable development and sustainability encompass a strong focus on the advancement of sustainable societies, social sustainability, and overall well-being of people both now and in the future. These goals also highlight sustainable social/society–environment relationships and interfaces to promote sustainable development of both people and the planet. The promotion of social sustainability requires leadership, management, and assessment by organizations and people. This study explored social sustainability handprints from the perspective of handprint and life cycle thinking and approaches using qualitative research approaches. It addressed a clear gap in research and aimed at exploring, discovering, analyzing and synthetizing the main implications of these frameworks for the creation and assessment of the social sustainability handprint development. It was recognized that there are multiple ways to create social sustainability handprints, such as positive changes, actions, innovations, and impacts. The same applies to assessments that can be based on, for example, handprint and life cycle thinking and approaches, sustainability management, assessment and indicators, and sustainability science. The findings highlight the broadness and diversity of approaches, opportunities, and possibilities related to both the creation and assessment of social sustainability handprints. Additionally, they suggest that particular focus is needed, for example, on comprehensive approaches that take into account specific contexts, locations, cultures, scales, conditions, characteristics, perspectives, and stakeholders.

Highlights

The handprint concept and approach was presented by the Centre for EnvironmentEducation (CEE) in 2007 at UNESCO’s 4th International Conference on EnvironmentalEducation
This study aimed at exploring, discovering, analyzing, and synthetizing the implications of (1) environmental, ecological, and carbon handprints for the assessment of social/society–environment relationships and interfaces in the context of social sustainability handprints; (2) challenges and limitations associated with Social life cycle assessment (S-LCA), social–organizational life cycle assessment (SO-LCA), and life cycle sustainability (LCSA) approaches for the assessment of social sustainability handprints; and (3) development focus areas associated with S-LCA and LCSA approaches for the assessment of social sustainability handprints
These findings suggest that the assessment of social sustainability handprints needs to integrate (1) social and societal aspects of sustainable development

Summary

Introduction

The themes of this event that provide context for the handprint evolution, encompassing, e.g., (1) the principles of sustainability; (2) the contribution of work and lifestyles to the well-being of all life; (3) human rights, social justice, and gender equality; and (4) the need for human lifestyles to support ecological integrity and the climate crisis [1]. In this context, the handprint related focus areas and approaches included, e.g., action towards sustainability, education for sustainable development, positive action towards biodiversity conservation, and focus on collective and individual actions to solve environmental problems [2]. Handprints are promoting innovation in an interconnected world, and they promote a systemic thinking approach to sustainability instead of focusing only on a linear thinking perspective (e.g., footprints) of sustainability

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Conclusion