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Embrapa Labex Europe

Biofuels and agriculturalBiofuels and agriculturalsustainabilitysustainability

Sharing Knowledge Foundation ConferenceSharing Knowledge Foundation ConferenceChaniaChania, Crete, Crete

April 08, 2008April 08, 2008

Geraldo Stachetti RodriguesEmbrapa Labex Europe

[email protected]

Embrapa Labex EuropeHoward T. Odum (1931-2002)University of Florida

“While you [in Brasil] shed muchtears and sweat to produce agreener fuel (bioethanol), everybodyelse in the world is running fasterand growing further by exploringnon-renewable but energy-denserresources...”

Our debate on biofuels must submit to an “inconvenient truth” that weall must face – sooner than later we’ll have to cope with the scarcity ofthese non-renewable resources.We should prepare our inescapable “way down” by devoting seriousconsideration to all options at hand, and strive to develop these optionsin a sustainable fashion, this time around.


Why biofuels* PPP principles…

While considering all possible development options,sound sustainability criteria must be observed.A synthetic and inclusive enunciate has been forwarded by the“Sustainable Production of Biomass” project group (The Netherlands)

• Production of biofuels (whole life cycle) must cause smaller greenhousegas emissions than fossil fuels (30% minimum);

• Production must not endanger the food supply or other local applications;

• Production must not affect protected or vulnerable biodiversity;

• The quality of soil, surface and ground water and air must be retained oreven increased;

• Production must contribute towards local prosperity;

• Production must contribute towards the social well-being of the employeesand the local population.


In a frequently cited “Environmental assessment of biofuels”, Zahet al. (2007) proposed an overall evaluation, for varied feedstocks.

Residues ≠ By-products ≠ Co-products ?

Pesticides / Fertilizers >Global Climate Change ?


The bottom-line (in ACV) is actually one of productiveefficiency, which may be obtained:• With still to come second generation technologies (cellulosicenzyme digestion, “Fischer-Tropsch Process”, ABE, etc.)or

• By diversifying production so that “integration” and“complementarities” are built, to improve:1. ‘Land management and resources exploitation’ (the ecologicalcomponent of sustainability); as well as

2. ‘Crop value aggregation’ (an economic component), with dual purposefeedstocks that favor farmer’s empowerment (a social component).


http://www.nipeunicamp.org.br/proalcool/Palestras/16/15


Sugar and bioethanol integratedproduction and market share, Brazil

Objective ‘Crop value aggregation’ (an economic component), with dualpurpose feedstocks that favor farmer’s empowerment and negotiatingcapacity (a social component of sustainability).



World ethanol production, 2005.World sugar production, 2005.

The Brazilian sugar-cane sector is highly competitive,


Because...


Productive integration and complementarities set out thescenario for ever increasing technological advancements.

Liters of ethanol/ton cane

Ton cane / ha

m3 ethanol / ha



Besides sugar and ethanol, the sugar-cane sector isa net producer of electricity for the national grid.

CO-GENERATIONElectric power generated from sugar-cane biomass (Mega Watts).

Electricity currently produced by sugar-cane millsElectricity currently produced by sugar-cane mills 2,120 2,120

Electricity consumed in sugar-ethanol productionElectricity consumed in sugar-ethanol production 1,500 1,500

Short term electricity production potentialShort term electricity production potential 6,000 to 8,000 6,000 to 8,000

Long term potential (new tech., cane prod.)Long term potential (new tech., cane prod.) 15,000 to 22,000 15,000 to 22,000

ItaipuItaipu hydropower plant production hydropower plant production 14,000 14,000

Co-generation Productivity has a 25-28% impact: Co-generation Productivity has a 25-28% impact: 80 kWh/ton;80 kWh/ton; at US$.046/kWh = US$ 3.68/ton for a current cost of US$ 13-14.5/ton at US$.046/kWh = US$ 3.68/ton for a current cost of US$ 13-14.5/ton



Mean price evolution: -3.51%

Productive efficiency is translated in lower costs



Agropecuária APP, Rio Verde (GO, 3,000 ha)• No-till grain crops and livestock integration

Objective ‘Land management and resources exploitation’ (theecological component) – Sustainability Assessment and

Environmental Management at the rural establishment scaleAgrarian Reform project, S.R.Nonato (PI, 23 ha)• Castor and bush-bean integration

Embrapa Labex Europe•Biodiesel is an emergingtechnology in Brazil,proposed for developmentunder the ‘National Plan forBiodiesel Production’.•PNPB: no subsidies tofarmers, but tax exemptionto mills associated withfamily agriculture.•The program aims atpromoting social insertion,rural development, andregional equity.

http://www.biodiesel.gov.br


*

Catanduva

*

Cássia

*Irecê

*

S.R.Nonato

*

Belém

Study areas and crops:• Catanduva: Jatropha curcas (in marginal lands);

• Cássia: Forage turnip (no-till rotation with corn,

the main crop);

• S.R. Nonato and Irecê: Castor as a drought

resistant cash crop (with bush-beans, a staple food

crop);

• Belém: Oil palm (3% extraction residue).

• Still to come: soy, sunflower, rapeseed

Embrapa National Network ProjectEmbrapa National Network ProjectEnvironmental management of productionEnvironmental management of production chains of oleaginous crops for biodiesel chains of oleaginous crops for biodiesel


Landscape EcologyEnvironmental Quality

(atmosphere, water, and soil)Socio-cultural Values

Economic ValuesManagement and Administration

Environmental assessment of oleaginous crops – 62indicators integrated in five sustainability dimensions

RODRIGUES, G. S.; RODRIGUES, I. A.;BUSCHINELLI, C. A. de; LIGO, M. A.; PIRES, A. M; FRIGHETTO,R.; IRIAS, L. J. M. Socio-environmental impact of biodiesel production in Brazil. Journal of TechnologyManagement & Innovation. v. 2, n. 2. 2007. pp. 46-66.


Landscape ecology

Atmosphere

Water quality

Soil qualitySociocultural values

Economic values

Management andadministration

Landscape ecology

Atmosphere

Water quality


Economic values


Establishment A, Cássia (MG) Establishment B, Cássia (MG)

Example: forage turnip production in no-till rotationwith corn in Cássia (MG); and mean results obtained in

five territories and four oleaginous crops

Sustainability index = 0.77

0,73

0,00

1,00Landscape ecology

Atmosphere

Water quality


Economic values


Establishment E, Belém / S. A. Tauá (PA)

0.77

0.70

Mean sustainability index, all establishmentsMean sustainability index,

all establishments


Conclusions of sustainability assessments

• Contrary to expectancies, environmental qualityindicators have not been negatively affected in thestudied rural establishments and field assessments;

• Also, Management & Administration indicators (thatshould have been improved) showed the mainperformance weaknesses in all studied establishments;

• Here rest the most valuable opportunities forimprovements to be brought by the agro-energy context,for in general no heavy cash investments are required toobtain solutions, and improvements in managementcapacities will result in positive impacts in all othersustainability dimensions.


Conclusions• Integrated land use, or dual application crops providing

by-product oils or biomass are more efficient;

• There is no single answer regarding biofuels, each ofvarious crops, local productive contexts, and feedstockavailabilities make all the difference;

• Biofuels sustainable production and use must beassessed according to the local socio-environmentalcontext.

Thank [email protected]

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