Production and use of fuel ethanol in Brazil - BAFF

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Because there is a tendency to examine the increased volatility of the blend
separately, which often results in exaggerations of the magnitude of its impact, it is
advisable to conduct the analysis within the context of the total pollutant emissions
from the fleet of vehicles being considered. Such new attitude will show that while
this kind of emission can increase, the benefits provided by the addition of ethanol
with a view to reducing pollutants in the exhaust gas plentifully compensate for the
negative effect.
B4.5.
Is it true that the ethanol produced from
sugar-cane in Brazil is much more efficient
than that produced from corn (or other cereals)
in other countries as a greenhouse effect
mitigating factor?
As mentioned in item 1.3 for sugar-cane, the ratio between the renewable energy
produced and the fossil energy used was 8.9 for ethanol (2005) in Brazil, which is
nearly five times better than the corn ethanol ratio.
While GHG emissions resulting from the use of fossil fuels in the production of that
biofuel are not the only ones in the process, they are much more important than
the others; this is why GHG emissions from ethanol production, as it is in Brazil,
are around four times lower than in most countrieswhere ethanol is produced from
corn, grain or cassava.
The result is the extraordinary performance of the industry, avoiding GHG emissions
equivalent to 13 percent of those from Brazil’s entire energy sector (base 1994).
For example, the GHG emissions avoided by the sector in 2003 were as follows:
for ethanol replacing gasoline:
27.5 million tons of CO 2 equivalent
for cane bagasse in sugar production:
5.7 million tons of CO 2 equivalent
B. Sugar-cane and ethanol production: environmental aspects