Triple-bottom-line assessment of São Paulo state’s sugarcane production based on a Brazilian multi-regional input-output matrix

Abstract Sugarcane to biofuel is already a reality on the path to economy decarbonisation in Brazil, helping to mitigate global climate changes and reducing pressure on fossil fuel demand. To assess the sustainability performance of sugarcane biofuel production in Brazil, we utilised an extended multi-region input-output (MRIO) matrix to determine the multipliers of carbon emissions, primary energy use, labour, imports and economic stimulus, and their relationship to the Brazilian economic system. Furthermore, we performed a hybrid input-output (IO) life cycle assessment to analyse the triple bottom line (TBL) aspects of sugarcane production in Sao Paulo state. In particular, we appraised differences between land used for sugarcane or pasture, and between two distinct sugarcane production systems: 1) in which a mill purchases or rents an area and employs its own labourers and machinery (so-called owners), and 2) in which sugarcane is produced and directly sold by farmers to a mill (so-called suppliers). Our results suggest that if areas that were initially used as pasture for cattle are replaced to sugarcane production, energy consumption is increased by a factor of 3.7, employment is reduced by a factor of 5.4 and GHG emissions are reduced to only 2% for every monetary unit (R$) produced. Our assessments concerning Supplier- and Owner-sugarcane producers demonstrate that the total amount of imports required for both scenarios is similar. The owner scenario results in more direct full-time jobs in comparison to the Supplier scenario. For both scenarios, most of the employment is generated by the upstream sectors of their supply chains. Sugarcane production by suppliers uses less energy and produces less GHG emissions than sugarcane produced by owners.

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