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Social Hotspot Analysis and Trade Policy Implications of the Use of Bioelectrochemical Systems for Resource Recovery from Wastewater

Author

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  • Mobolaji B. Shemfe

    (Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Siddharth Gadkari

    (Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Jhuma Sadhukhan

    (Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK
    Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK)

Abstract

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have been catalogued as a technological solution to three pressing global challenges: environmental pollution, resource scarcity, and freshwater scarcity. This study explores the social risks along the supply chain of requisite components of BESs for two functionalities: (i) copper recovery from spent lees and (ii) formic acid production via CO 2 reduction, based on the UK’s trade policy. The methodology employed in this study is based on the UNEP/SETAC guidelines for social life-cycle assessment (S-LCA) of products. Relevant trade data from UN COMTRADE database and generic social data from New Earth’s social hotspot database were compiled for the S-LCA. The results revealed that about 75% of the components are imported from the European Union. However, the social risks were found to vary regardless of the magnitude or country of imports. “Labour and Decent Work” was identified as the most critical impact category across all countries of imports, while the import of copper showed relatively higher risk than other components. The study concludes that BESs are a promising sustainable technology for resource recovery from wastewater. Nevertheless, it is recommended that further research efforts should concentrate on stakeholder engagement in order to fully grasp the potential social risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Mobolaji B. Shemfe & Siddharth Gadkari & Jhuma Sadhukhan, 2018. "Social Hotspot Analysis and Trade Policy Implications of the Use of Bioelectrochemical Systems for Resource Recovery from Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3193-:d:168179
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Shutaro Takeda & Alexander Ryota Keeley & Shigeki Sakurai & Shunsuke Managi & Catherine Benoît Norris, 2019. "Are Renewables as Friendly to Humans as to the Environment?: A Social Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Electricity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Rebolledo-Leiva, Ricardo & Moreira, María Teresa & González-García, Sara, 2023. "Progress of social assessment in the framework of bioeconomy under a life cycle perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    4. Jhuma Sadhukhan, 2022. "Net-Zero Action Recommendations for Scope 3 Emission Mitigation Using Life Cycle Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-20, July.
    5. Vítor Domingues Martinho & Paulo Reis Mourão, 2020. "Circular Economy and Economic Development in the European Union: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-25, September.
    6. Jhuma Sadhukhan & Tom I. J. Dugmore & Avtar Matharu & Elias Martinez-Hernandez & Jorge Aburto & Pattanathu K. S. M. Rahman & Jim Lynch, 2020. "Perspectives on “Game Changer” Global Challenges for Sustainable 21st Century: Plant-Based Diet, Unavoidable Food Waste Biorefining, and Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, March.
    7. Jhuma Sadhukhan & Mark Christensen, 2021. "An In-Depth Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Lithium-Ion Battery for Climate Impact Mitigation Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Irene Huertas-Valdivia & Anna Maria Ferrari & Davide Settembre-Blundo & Fernando E. García-Muiña, 2020. "Social Life-Cycle Assessment: A Review by Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-25, August.
    9. Oluwaseun Nubi & Stephen Morse & Richard J. Murphy, 2021. "A Prospective Social Life Cycle Assessment (sLCA) of Electricity Generation from Municipal Solid Waste in Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-24, September.

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