Potential social impacts of a possible implementation of the Pulp & Fuel concept for producing biofuels at a pulp mill

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to create an understanding of what potential social impacts (both positive and negative) the concept of P&F will have and could have if an implementation of the process would be done. Interviews are mainly used for providing input to the method S-LCA (Social Life Cycle Assessment) and by that fulfil the purpose. Two questions will be addressed: What are the potential social impacts of the P&F concept on the stakeholders: worker, value chain actors, local community, and society, if integrated into an already existing pulp mill? What are the differences in terms of social impacts between the first and second generation of biofuels? Two methods are used to fulfil the purpose and to answer the related questions. First method is S-LCA as mentioned above. Second method is thematic analysis, where data from interviews is transformed into codes, then quantified and lastly divided into themes. The two mentioned methods work in parallel with each other. The result from thematic analysis shows that subcategories with high social impacts are, technology development, health and safety and contribution to economic development, mainly due to new equipment, job creations and technology. The results from the reference scales show an overall positive score, which means a positive social effect on a potential implementation of the P&F. It was noted that the sustainable future of the concept is strongly connected with positive social impacts like technological development and costs for investments in new equipment on an industrial scale. Several factors are important to consider when assessing an implementation of a process like P&F, and further focus should be put on assessing the negative subcategory health and safety related to a potential new fuel. For this to be possible, there is a necessity to further develop the S-LCA methodology. As the S-LCA to a larger part measures the potential negative impacts, one challenge will be to develop the methodology for the assessment of potential positive social impacts. The S-LCA is an ongoing developing process, where contributions from applying, demonstrating, and sharing findings play a significant role for future research.