Sustainability of the production of ethanol from sugarcane: the Brazilian experience.

The increase in production of liquid biofuels from different feedstocks is causing concern for potential importers and users, as an alternative to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The sustainability of the whole production chain of each biofuel is under review. Some countries, especially in the European Union (EU), are jumping ahead in the process of preparing certification procedures to assure the sustainability of the different alternatives under consideration; this is the beginning of the process to show that all biofuels are not equal. Ethanol from sugarcane has demonstrated, so far, superiority over other biofuels (ethanol from grains or sugar beet, and biodiesel from soybeans or rapeseed), but the demonstration process must be clear and based on measurable parameters. Surplus power generation is an important point to improve the energy and Green House Gas (GHG) balances, increasing the value of ethanol in the GHG abatement process when it displaces the use of gasoline as a transport fuel. Brazil as a major producer and exporter of ethanol from sugarcane is working hard to demonstrate the sustainability of its ethanol, using reliable information, well established procedures and participating in the worldwide effort to produce certification standards. Net energy ratios above eight and GHG abatement efficiency better than 80% for the Brazilian production and use chain have been demonstrated. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of this Brazilian work toward the demonstration of sugarcane ethanol sustainability, offering some insights and lessons for other countries starting in this process.