A sustainability analysis of the Brazilian ethanol

Nov 2008

This is the report of the project Analysis of Environmental and Social Impacts of Bioethanol Production in Brazil, funded by UK Embassy, in Brasília, with funds of the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The main target of the project is the evaluation of ethanol production in Brazil from the point of view of sustainability, considering environmental, social, and economic aspects. The analysis was based on literature review, in some cases interviews with different stakeholders and, for some aspects, primary research. Primary research was conducted regarding land use change, both concerned to direct and indirect impacts, socio-economics impacts at regional level, and the balance of greenhouse gases (GHG). In order to set the priorities, sustainability principles and criteria currently under discussion in some European countries, mainly UK, and by European Union have been analysed.
The report is organized in ten chapters, including the final chapter with the main conclusions. In the first chapter the current production of ethanol in Brazil and mid-term perspectives are analysed. Chapter two presents sustainability principles and criteria under discussion in Europe. Based on this analysis priorities were defined in order to be analysed in details. The issues considered more relevant were the balance of GHG, land use change, both considering direct and indirect impacts, and socio-economic impacts of ethanol production at regional level. These three aspects were first analysed based on literature, and further primary research was conducted. The results and conclusions are presented in Chapters 3 to 6.
Other important environmental issues are analysed at Chapter 7, only based on literature review. The aspects that were considered are water consumption and impacts over availability and quality, soil impacts, and the use agrochemicals and fertilizers.
Initiatives so far taken regarding certification of ethanol production are analysed at Chapter 8. The analysis is done regarding the principles and criteria under discussion in different countries and the conclusions of the authors of this project regarding the level of knowledge and quality of information available in Brazil.
Chapter 9 summarises the author's opinion about the further required research and recommendations for future bilateral collaboration/projects.
Chapter 10 presents the main conclusions of the research.
Complimentary information is presented in a set annexe.

By: A. Walter, P. Dolzan, O. Quilodrán, J. Garcia, C. da Silva, F. Piacente et al.

 
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