Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Emission by Ethanol Production

A study from Linköping University, Sweden – 2011 – evaluated the environmental impact of ethanol production in regards to greenhouse gas emissions.

The main ingredient in ethanol production comes from sugarcane crops. The study was done during a three year period 2008-2010 in the State of Minas Gerais; Brazil. The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions could be estimated at 1540 kg/ha.year.

“The key sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the bioethanol production are sugarcane burning and use of fuels; which account for more than 50 % of total emissions. This shows a clear environmental limitation in the process of sugarcane utilization.”

You can find the full study from Linköping University here.