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Selected social impact indicators influenced by materials for green energy technologies

Author

Listed:
  • Saeed Rahimpour

    (Aalto University
    LUT University)

  • Mohammad El-Wali

    (University of Helsinki
    Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), University of Helsinki)

  • Iryna Makarava

    (Aalto University)

  • Hanna L. Tuomisto

    (University of Helsinki
    Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), University of Helsinki
    Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke))

  • Mari Lundström

    (Aalto University)

  • Andrzej Kraslawski

    (LUT University
    Polish Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The social risks of green energy transition are underexplored. One of the important questions is which materials used in green energy technologies offer the greatest social benefits, such as ensuring decent living conditions, and which pose the most social risks. To address this issue, we develop a dynamic material-energy flow model integrating system dynamics, social life cycle assessment, and geometallurgical approaches. The analysis focuses on critical materials: Rare Earth Elements, Nickel, Silicon, Graphite, Magnesium, Gallium, Germanium, Indium, Aluminum, Cobalt, Lithium, Zinc, and Tellurium used in wind turbines, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and solar photovoltaic panels. We assess their social impact on work safety, gender equality, informal employment, labor income share, employment rate, and child labor—key issues addressed by Sustainable Development Goals 1, 5, and 8. Here we show that Aluminum production for electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels generates the most jobs and income opportunities, while extraction of Cobalt, Lithium, Silicon, and Zinc carry the highest social risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Saeed Rahimpour & Mohammad El-Wali & Iryna Makarava & Hanna L. Tuomisto & Mari Lundström & Andrzej Kraslawski, 2024. "Selected social impact indicators influenced by materials for green energy technologies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-53652-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53652-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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