Abstract
The social dimension of sustainability in current and emerging Norwegian feed value chains has received limited research attention. Social sustainability is broadly defined and includes living conditions, equality, HSE, workers’ rights, community impacts, food security, consumer concerns, transparency, and acceptance of production. Findings from the literature, sustainability reports, interviews, and group discussions show largely consistent thematic categories; however, concrete indicators are unevenly developed and are strongest for HSE and supply chain management.
Different actors emphasise different aspects. Established feed companies focus on labour conditions and safety in international supply chains, while other stakeholders highlight local value creation, employee well-being, openness, and minimising negative impacts on local communities. Newer feed companies report few social challenges to date. Across the sector, the social dimension receives less attention than the environmental and economic dimensions.
Early assessment of social acceptance, local participation, ownership structures, labour access, and preparedness is considered crucial for long-term sustainability. This paper examines which social aspects and indicators are most relevant for assessing new feed value chains.
Methodologically, we conducted a literature review, analysed sustainability reports from established feed actors, carried out interviews with actors in both established and emerging value chains, and organised group discussions to elicit perceptions of social impacts. The results identify several relevant categories and indicators for evaluating the social sustainability of new Norwegian feed value chains.
This work draws on research from the SusFeed and SocialFeed projects, funded by the Research Council of Norway.