IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i4p1492-d1588870.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Expanding Social Impact Assessment Methodologies Within SDGs: A Case Study on Novel Wind and Tidal Turbine Blades Development

Author

Listed:
  • Lydia Peraki

    (Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions (IRES), 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Nikoletta Kontouli

    (Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions (IRES), 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Anastasia Gkika

    (Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions (IRES), 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Foteini Petrakli

    (Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions (IRES), 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Elias P. Koumoulos

    (Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions (IRES), 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

Abstract

The European Union’s commitment to significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting renewable energy necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the societal impacts of these initiatives to achieve sustainable development. A significant challenge lies in effectively assessing the social impacts of the wind and tidal energy sector. This paper addresses this issue by presenting an expanded methodology derived from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Impact Assessment, specifically tailored to assess social impacts. The methodology focuses on social SDGs, particularly Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). Irrelevant targets are excluded based on defined criteria, while the remaining targets are characterized according to their impact pathways, validated through peer review, and prioritized by experts. The results underscore the importance of strategic partnerships, innovative material development, and gender equality in achieving global sustainability objectives. This research offers valuable insights into integrating SDG-aligned indicators within project frameworks, providing a replicable model for similar initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Lydia Peraki & Nikoletta Kontouli & Anastasia Gkika & Foteini Petrakli & Elias P. Koumoulos, 2025. "Expanding Social Impact Assessment Methodologies Within SDGs: A Case Study on Novel Wind and Tidal Turbine Blades Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1492-:d:1588870
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1492/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1492/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Becker, Henk A., 2001. "Social impact assessment," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 128(2), pages 311-321, January.
    2. Fortier, Marie-Odile P. & Teron, Lemir & Reames, Tony G. & Munardy, Dynta Trishana & Sullivan, Breck M., 2019. "Introduction to evaluating energy justice across the life cycle: A social life cycle assessment approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 211-219.
    3. Mancini, Lucia & Sala, Serenella, 2018. "Social impact assessment in the mining sector: Review and comparison of indicators frameworks," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 98-111.
    4. Buchmayr, A. & Verhofstadt, E. & Van Ootegem, L. & Thomassen, G. & Taelman, S.E. & Dewulf, J., 2022. "Exploring the global and local social sustainability of wind energy technologies: An application of a social impact assessment framework," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    5. Idiano D’Adamo & Cristina Di Carlo & Massimo Gastaldi & Edouard Nicolas Rossi & Antonio Felice Uricchio, 2024. "Economic Performance, Environmental Protection and Social Progress: A Cluster Analysis Comparison towards Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-24, June.
    6. Bianchi, Marco & Fernandez, Iratxe Fernandez, 2024. "A systematic methodology to assess local economic impacts of ocean renewable energy projects: Application to a tidal energy farm," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    7. Martinez, Nain & Komendantova, Nadejda, 2020. "The effectiveness of the social impact assessment (SIA) in energy transition management: Stakeholders' insights from renewable energy projects in Mexico," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    8. Luigi Corvo & Lavinia Pastore & Arianna Manti & Daniel Iannaci, 2021. "Mapping Social Impact Assessment Models: A Literature Overview for a Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. William Alomoto & Angels Niñerola & Laia Pié, 2022. "Social Impact Assessment: A Systematic Review of Literature," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 225-250, May.
    2. Khaled M. A. Salim & Ruhanita Maelah & Hawa Hishamuddin & Amizawati Mohd Amir & Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman, 2022. "Two Decades of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs): A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Elisa Baraibar-Diez & Manuel Luna & María D. Odriozola & Ignacio Llorente, 2020. "Mapping Social Impact: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Junhong Qu & Xiaoli Hao, 2022. "Digital Economy, Financial Development, and Energy Poverty Based on Mediating Effects and a Spatial Autocorrelation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-24, July.
    5. Upham, Dr Paul & Sovacool, Prof Benjamin & Ghosh, Dr Bipashyee, 2022. "Just transitions for industrial decarbonisation: A framework for innovation, participation, and justice," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    6. Hesam Dehghani & Marc Bascompta & Ali Asghar Khajevandi & Kiana Afshar Farnia, 2023. "A Mimic Model Approach for Impact Assessment of Mining Activities on Sustainable Development Indicators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-15, February.
    7. Datu Buyung Agusdinata & Wenjuan Liu & Sinta Sulistyo & Philippe LeBillon & Je'anne Wegner, 2023. "Evaluating sustainability impacts of critical mineral extractions: Integration of life cycle sustainability assessment and SDGs frameworks," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 746-759, June.
    8. Cherepovitsyn, Alexey & Solovyova, Victoria & Dmitrieva, Diana, 2023. "New challenges for the sustainable development of the rare-earth metals sector in Russia: Transforming industrial policies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    9. Georgios Archimidis Tsalidis & Maria Batsioula & George F. Banias & Evina Katsou, 2024. "A Review Analysis of Electricity Generation Studies with Social Life Cycle Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-13, June.
    10. Theesfeld, Insa & Schleyer, Christian & Callois, Jean-Marc & Aznar, Olivier, 2008. "Ex-ante Policy Assessment from an Institutional Perspective. A Procedure for Institutional Compatibility Assessment (PICA)," Institutional Change in Agriculture and Natural Resources Discussion Papers 6112, Humboldt University Berlin, Department of Agricultural Economics.
    11. Van Assche, Kristof & Gruezmacher, Monica & Granzow, Michael, 2021. "From trauma to fantasy and policy. The past in the futures of mining communities; the case of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    12. Paúl Carrión-Mero & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Fernando Morante-Carballo & María José Domínguez-Cuesta & Cristhian Sánchez-Padilla & Andrés Sánchez-Zambrano & Josué Briones-Bitar & Roberto Blanco-Torre, 2021. "Surface and Underground Geomechanical Characterization of an Area Affected by Instability Phenomena in Zaruma Mining Zone (Ecuador)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-18, March.
    13. Jan K. Kazak & Joanna A. Kamińska & Rafał Madej & Marta Bochenkiewicz, 2020. "Where Renewable Energy Sources Funds are Invested? Spatial Analysis of Energy Production Potential and Public Support," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-26, October.
    14. Shreya Bhattacharya & Basanta Kumar Das & Aparna Roy & Prateep Kumar Nayak & Avishek Saha & Pranaya Kumar Parida & Lianthuamluaia Lianthuamluaia & Kausik Mondal & Sangeeta Chakraborty, 2024. "Socio-Economic Profile and Vulnerabilities Assessment in Small-Scale Fisheries of Lower Gangetic Flood Plain Wetland: An Initiative Towards Achieving Wetland Ecosystem Sustainability and Community Wel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-22, November.
    15. Christina G. Siontorou, 2023. "Fair Development Transition of Lignite Areas: Key Challenges and Sustainability Prospects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-14, August.
    16. De Luca Peña, Laura Vittoria & Taelman, Sue Ellen & Bas, Bilge & Staes, Jan & Mertens, Jan & Clavreul, Julie & Préat, Nils & Dewulf, Jo, 2024. "Monetized (socio-)environmental handprint and footprint of an offshore windfarm in the Belgian Continental Shelf: An assessment of local, regional and global impacts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PA).
    17. S. Vögele & K. Govorukha & P. Mayer & I. Rhoden & D. Rübbelke & W. Kuckshinrichs, 2023. "Effects of a coal phase-out in Europe on reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 879-916, January.
    18. Guzmán, Juan Ignacio & Karpunina, Alina & Araya, Constanza & Faúndez, Patricio & Bocchetto, Marcela & Camacho, Rodolfo & Desormeaux, Daniela & Galaz, Juanita & Garcés, Ingrid & Kracht, Willy & Lagos, , 2023. "Chile: On the road to global sustainable mining," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    19. Leogrande, Angelo & Drago, Carlo & Mallardi, Giulio & Costantiello, Alberto & Magaletti, Nicola, 2024. "Patenting Propensity in Italy: A Machine Learning Approach to Regional Clustering," MPRA Paper 123081, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    20. Ormerod, Richard J. & Ulrich, Werner, 2013. "Operational research and ethics: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 228(2), pages 291-307.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1492-:d:1588870. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.