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Two economic activities have been integrated in southern Brazil: olive cultivation and sheep farming. The favorable edaphoclimatic conditions in the southern region for cultivating olive trees and cultural preferences for the consumption of sheep meat make this integration a valuable strategy. Considering that every activity causes environmental impact and the exploitation of natural resources, new systems that promote sustainable development and the efficient use of these resources become necessary. This paper presents the first study of the carbon footprint of the life cycle of integrating of sheep and olive farming, with the objective to build an inventory based on primary data collected on olive and sheep farms in Brazil, determine the carbon footprint of the conventional and integrated system and estimate the potential for mitigating GHG emissions. The evaluation was performed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The study focuses on the detailed analysis of the processes and activities that are responsible for GHG emissions, including enteric methane emissions, methane emissions from manure management, emissions from nitrogen fertilizer use and limestone application and energy consumption. For this, two major scenarios were considered, the first centered around on the traditional olive cultivation and sheep farming systems individually, and the second involved their synergistic integration. The findings indicate that the conventional system is associated with a global warming impact of 6.8 kg CO 2 eq per liter olive oil and kg live weight. In contrast, the integrated system demonstrates a significant mitigation potential of 27.7%, resulting in a reduced global warming impact of 4.92 kg CO 2 eq. This advantage is a consequence of the synergy between the systems, as they now occupy the same area, which allows the sharing of agricultural activities and agrochemical inputs, in addition to optimizing nutrient recycling and complementing each other. Additionally, the results of a sensitivity analysis showed that enteric methane from sheep and the application of limestone to the soil are the most influential parameters on the carbon footprint, indicating that they are key parameters for the development of GHG mitigation strategies, some of which were discussed in the article. • First life cycle assessment of integration between olive and sheep farming in Brazil. • The inventory was constructed with primary data collected in situ. • The study assesses the carbon footprint of the olive and sheep farming system. • The results show environmental advantages of the integration of olive and sheep farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper is a multi-case study of three oil and gas projects in Brazil that investigates the tacit knowledge on how to best manage energy use during the construction phase. Twenty-two in-depth interviews form the primary evidence of the case studies. The methodology incorporates network analysis of concepts that influence energy use to formalize the case studies and collect additional knowledge. The framework comprises thirteen construction activities and twenty-one systems and factors related to design, resources and site characteristics, specific to the construction domain. This set of concepts can influence the energy consumption during the construction phase. Although these concepts are present in nearly every project, their dynamics and their inter-relations with project-specific systems change, depending on the context of the project. The proposed method, which employs network analysis, help identify their interrelationships and relative importance of these concepts. In addition to the opportunities and lessons learned that can guide future energy assessments and improve energy use in construction projects, the results show how promising network analytics is to obtain knowledge usually difficult to perceive in traditional knowledge processes. Besides, this work highlights the importance of supporting collaboration between project team members to study and decide on the plans to manage/reduce energy consumption during the construction phase in oil and gas facilities. While the energy savings are smaller than the upstream and operation phases, it has received much less attention. It is also a phase with much more subjective and contextualized knowledge – making the use of case-based analyses more suitable. Highlights • Supports collaboration in studying and planning energy use during the construction phase of O&G projects. • Three case studies are conducted supported by in-depth interviews. • Network analysis is used to represent construction activities, factors and systems. • The approach represents a meaningful way to formalize the knowledge in the cases. • Can help formalize the knowledge contained in a text case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on an analysis of the energy mix profile and energy efficiency of the Brazilian dairy industry. It investigates dairies’ energy mix and energy efficiency and identifies some actions for a cleaner energy mix. Primary data from 37 dairy cheese-making establishments distributed among the Brazilian regions were obtained from online surveys. The results indicate that woodfuel plays a critical role, being the most used fuel in thermal energy generation, while diesel is dominant in electric generation. It also emphasizes that only 51% of the dairy establishments utilize electric energy generators. Other alternative biomass sources are still incipient in the sector, restricted to just 9.5% of the cases for thermal energy generation and no cases for electricity. Regarding the energy efficiency analysis, the results suggest dairies are more scale efficient than pure technical efficient. However, the dairies present a low energy efficiency level. There is no evidence that inefficiencies are differently distributed according to their size. These findings are important for government agencies, industry associations, scientists, universities and research institutes. High inefficiencies, regarding the use of electricity and thermal energy, are a key issue in sustainable bioenergy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing the need to increase energy efficiency across various sectors of the economy, the Brazilian government through the national energy efficiency plan (adopted in 2011) seeks to avoid 30 million tons of CO2 emissions through a reduction in electricity consumption of about 10% by 2030. Notwithstanding, we believe that a complete realization of such initiative will be dependent on the level of substitutability between different production factors and fuel types. Using the translog production function method, this paper, first provides insight on the economic impact of both factor and fuel inputs in Brazil. Most importantly, we examine the possibility of substitution among capital, labor, petroleum, and electricity. The ridge regression technique was used to estimate the parameters after our data depicted the existence of multicollinearity. Our results show that capital and labor are positively linked to output; however, petroleum and electricity contribute negatively to economic output in Brazil of which corruption is a plausible reason. Again, all variable inputs are substitutes with their relative technological progress depicting features of convergence. This implies that Brazil can achieve a cleaner energy system without much challenges due to the possibility of switching from greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting petroleum to a cleaner energy electricity. Our findings also highlight the importance of policies that advance merger of enterprises, and renewable energy use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the environmental impacts of a refrigerator recycling system in Brazil and quantifies its ecological advantages over primary resource production through a Life Cycle Assessment based on ISO 14040. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) accounts for savings of 720 kg CO 2 -eq per recycled refrigerator on average, thus demonstrating that an environmentally sound recycling process holds substantial emission reduction potential. In addition, the application of the recycling process in conjunction with collection and reverse logistics of refrigerators in a recycling system can reduce energy demand in Brazil by an average of 1.5 GJ per recycled unit. As a result, refrigerator recycling systems qualify as a valid and scalable energy efficiency measure in accordance with the Brazilian national framework for the evaluation of energy efficiency projects (PROPEE). The energy economics for projects based on recycling systems are shown for the 30 largest energy distributors in Brazil. Available budgets, calculated with diagnostics undertaken in conformity with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) for a threshold value (cost-benefit ratio = 0.8), clearly indicate the viability and competitiveness of these recycling systems as project opportunities for energy conservation under the national energy regulation agency ANEEL's energy efficiency program (PEE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emergent strategy to target sustainability involves an understanding of the water-energy interconnections. It takes water to produce energy, and it takes energy to source, treat, and distribute water. Sanitation and energy distribution are the world's pre-eminent development challenges. They are a magnifier of poverty, ill-health and mortality, and gender inequality. The word 'nexus' means the understanding of these interdependencies, tensions, and trade-offs. This paper investigates water-energy interconnections through critical analysis. We applied a bottom-up approach to describe Sao Paulo state's river basins, in Southeast Brazil, from the household to the regional scale. Initially, water availability, energy consumption and wastewater treatment data are inferred using per capita data. The subsequent data analysis then considered the positive and negative linkages among the basins. Local and state levels of dependency are also assessed, considering environmental and socioeconomic impacts. The significance of this paper lies in understanding these interconnections and their interdependence within the local context and individuals' behaviour. The results allow a comprehensive analysis of the water-energy Nexus across Sao Paulo state. The critical analysis also shows how the primary drivers contribute to urbanisation levels, population growth, and industrial activities. • Regional WE Nexus analysis is undertaken for the most industrialised state of Brazil. • The increase in wastewater treatment highlights the sustainability path. • Wastewater treatment growth rates are higher than population and GDP rates. • It develops a unique database for future studies using the Nexus approach. • Population growth, GDP, and industrial intensity are the main drivers in the WE Nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy management has been considered in the global agenda as a way to improve energy performance and greenhouse gas reduction in organizations. Industries account for a significant part of energy use worldwide and present opportunities for energy efficiency improvements. Within the industry, energy management is a complex task, regarding scenarios with variables related to the following perspectives: economics, contingency, technological change and behavioural. This paper aims at analyzing the influencing factors on energy management in industries from these perspectives. A survey with 40 variables was carried out with middle managers from different industrial sectors in Brazil. The variables were divided into three groups: drivers for investments in energy efficiency; organizational processes and actions in energy management; involvement of middle managers. Initially, an exploratory factor analysis technique was employed aiming at specifying the main factors influencing energy management. In the sequence , a confirmatory factor analysis was used to associate the variables to the main factors as well as to know how the factors relate to each other. The study showed a positive correlation among all the factors identified. Statistical tests suggested that the factors could not be explained separately. Hypotheses tests were applied to verify the influence of the factors among the groups surveyed. The final model comprised eight factors into the three groups: organizational (strategic , operational), involvement (motivation, support), drivers (production, economics , competitiveness, environment). The results and the main implications of the study are discussed in the paper. • The main factors on energy management presented a positive correlation among them. • Middle managers' involvement influenced strategy and operation on energy management. • Middle managers' involvement depended on the support and motivation from superiors. • Operational factor on energy management influenced drivers for energy efficiency. • Production process was a driver for energy efficiency influencing energy management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the results of an environmental impact assessment of biodiesel production from soybean in Brazil. In order to achieve this objective, environmental impact indicators provided by Emergy Accounting (EA), Embodied Energy Analysis (EEA) and Material Flow Accounting (MFA) were used. The results showed that for one liter of biodiesel 8.8kg of topsoil are lost in erosion, besides the cost of 0.2kg of fertilizers, about 5.2m2 of crop area, 7.33kg of abiotic materials, 9.0 tons of water and 0.66kg of air and about 0.86kg of CO2 were released. About 0.27kg of crude oil equivalent is required as inputs to produce one liter of biodiesel, which means an energy return of 2.48J of biodiesel per Joule of fossil fuel invested. The transformity of biodiesel (3.90E+05seJJ−1) is higher than those calculated for fossil fuels as other biofuels, indicating a higher demand for direct and indirect environmental support. Similarly, the biodiesel emergy yield ratio (1.62) indicates that a very low net emergy is delivered to consumers, compared to alternatives. Obtained results show that when crop production and industrial conversion to fuel are supported by fossil fuels in the form of chemicals, goods, and process energy, the fraction of fuel that can actually be considered renewable is very low (around 31%). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Brazil, an emerging economy with more than 208 million inhabitants, is currently one of the biggest consumers of disposable diapers worldwide, generating huge waste streams to sanitary landfills or dumps. This take-make-dispose system causes high material and fuel consumption and serious environmental impacts. The concept of the Circular Economy, promoting that material flows should be circular, material and energy efficiency should be maximized and residues, as far as possible, designed out, has continuously gained attention over the last decade. For a Circular Economy, technological innovation, new business models and changes in consumer behavior are needed. The present study compares the use of modern cloth diapers and disposable diapers via a screening Life Cycle Assessment, checking conventional and innovative circular business models for the application of modern cloth diapers, such as the leasing or pay-per-service models, while focusing on the regional context of Brazil. Results indicate that cloth diapers show generally a better environmental performance than disposable diapers, whose poor performance is mainly due to their end-of-life treatment in sanitary or unsanitary landfill, provoking high greenhouse gas emissions. For cloth diapers, the most advantageous product system consists in a diaper-as-service model at large scale, using efficient continuous batch washers for sanitizing the diapers. Diaper-as-service models at smaller scale in so-called on-premise laundries show poorer environmental performance, due to higher water and energy needs. Domestic laundering of diapers is a good alternative regarding its environmental performance, because of its low energy consumption. However, consumers accustomed with disposable diapers might be reluctant to engage with this additional domestic labor. Image 1 • Disposable diapers hold bad environmental performance due to disposal in landfills. • Average conditions in Brazil lead to lower environmental impacts for cloth diapers. • Product-as-service-models should be used only with highly efficient batch washers. • The cotton used in absorbents of cloth diapers has significant influence on impacts. • Cloth diapers may be a bad choice or Brazil's regions with water scarcity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most European countries have committed to ambitious emissions reduction goals. Energy generation in particular is responsible for more than 30% of global emissions, where significant focus has been placed on renewable energy generation, including biomass. On the one hand, there are countries, like the UK, where the biomass stock is insufficient to meet the demand; on the other hand, there are countries, like Brazil, where the stock significantly exceeds the demand. To promote a natural symbiosis, it is necessary to take on the challenge of transporting biomass through long distances in an environmentally and economically efficient manner. This paper aims to assess the efficiency of alternative pathways of international biomass supply-chains. The alternatives involve different biomass origin regions, transportation modes, export ports and processing technologies, including torrefaction. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has been used for the first time to assess the efficiency of the alternative biomass supply chain pathways in a Latin American context, considering multiple-criteria relating to economic and environmental performance simultaneously, such as the biomass delivered cost, the environmental impact and the fossil energy consumption. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to analyse the robustness of the results under uncertainty in parameter values. The DEA approach presented can assist the process of planning biomass sourcing and improve decision-making under multiple decision criteria. The results can support medium- and long-term strategic decisions for decision- and policy-makers. • Efficiency assessment of biomass supply chain pathways between Brazil and the UK. • 56 alternative pathways considered with different supply chain structure. • Data Envelopment Analysis used for multi-criteria efficiency assessment. • Results can support decision and policy making. • Trade-offs between different criteria identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]