Desenvolvimento de base de dados de avaliação do ciclo de vida social híbrida: estudo de caso para o setor de energia elétrica do Brasil

Abstract

In recent decades, hybrid inventory methods have gained prominence in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by integrating process­based and input–output data, thereby offering broader analytical coverage. However, challenges remain regarding methodological clarity and the lack of consistent mathematical descriptions, particularly in the field of Social Life Cycle Assessment (S­LCA), which is still at an early stage of consolidation. This thesis aimed to develop a hybrid S­LCA inventory for the Brazilian electricity sector by combining regionalized economic data from the input–output matrix with process­specific information and labor conditions. To achieve this, a systematic literature review was carried out, from which the matrix augmentation method was selected for its balance between practical feasibility and lower modeling complexity. The methodological development encompassed the collection, harmonization, and integration of social and economic data into hybrid matrices, complemented by a case study in the electricity sector. Comparative analysis between aggregated and disaggregated inventories, as well as assessments by gender and race/ethnicity for the years 2015 and 2024, highlighted the relevance of disaggregation in revealing structural inequalities that remain hidden in aggregated analyses. The results emphasize the importance of integrating social variables in a detailed and temporally contextualized way, thus enhancing the ability of S­LCA to inform sustainability­oriented decision­making. This work contributes by demonstrating the feasibility of using national and regional data, reducing dependence on international databases, and proposing a systematic procedure for building hybrid social inventories. In doing só, the research advances the methodological consolidation of S­LCA, offers a model applicable to other sectors and contexts, and strengthens its potential as a decision­support tool for public policies and corporate practices.