Social Sustainability Evaluation Matrix (SSEM) to Quantify Social Aspects of Sustainable Remediation

Sustainability analysis, or triple bottom line analysis, is increasingly recognized as a holistic approach when all the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic and social aspects) are equally incorporated into the decision-making process of a project. Currently, the tools for assessing the environmental and economic impacts are well established. On the contrary, the development of a quantitative tool to assess the social impacts has been particularly challenging because a multitude of subjective factors may vary among social entities depending upon the type of project assessed. In this study, a new tool called Social Sustainability Evaluation Matrix (SSEM) is developed and applied to two environmental remediation project sites. In both cases, remedial options were previously identified and assessed based on environmental and economic aspects. SSEM is an Excel-based tool comprising four social dimensions: (1) socio-individual, (2) socio-institutional, (3) socio-economic, and (4) socio-environmental. Under each dimension, several key areas are identified, and a scoring system is devised to quantify the extent of resulting social impacts. Scores for the identified key areas are summed under each social dimension, and a comparative assessment is performed to allow for more informed decisions about remedy selection, design, implementation, and mitigation as necessary. Overall, SSEM was found to be quite beneficial in assessing social sustainability of the selected remedial options in this study; however, it is important to incorporate an objective basis to the highest degree practicable. Also, when negative, substantive impacts are identified, mitigation efforts should be made to minimize or avoid the impact.