2 research outputs found
Environmental Implications of Jatropha Biofuel from a Silvi-Pastoral Production System in Central-West Brazil
We present a life cycle assessment
of synthetic paraffinic kerosene
produced from Jatropha curcas. The feedstock is grown in an intercropping
arrangement with pasture grasses so that Jatropha is coproduced with
cattle. Additional innovations are introduced including hybrid seeds,
detoxification of jatropha seedcake, and cogeneration. Two fuel pathways
are examined including a newly developed catalytic decarboxylation
process. Sensitivities are examined including higher planting density
at the expense of cattle production as well as 50% lower yields. Intercropping
with pasture and detoxifying seedcake yield coproducts that are expected
to relieve pressure on Brazil’s forests and indirectly reduce
environmental impacts of biofuel production. Other innovations also
reduce impacts. Results of the baseline assessment indicate that innovations
would reduce impacts relative to the fossil fuel reference scenario
in most categories including 62–75% reduction in greenhouse
gas emissions, 64–82% reduction in release of ozone depleting
chemicals, 33–52% reduction in smog-forming pollutants, 6–25%
reduction in acidification, and 60–72% reduction in use of
nonrenewable energy. System expansion, which explicitly accounts for
avoided deforestation, results in larger improvements. Results are
robust across allocation methodologies, improve with higher planting
density, and persist if yield is reduced by half
A Global Synthesis of Jatropha Cultivation: Insights into Land Use Change and Management Practices
Despite
setbacks, interest in Jatropha cultivation remains high.
This study addressed the question to what extent Jatropha cultivation
has replaced specific vegetation and land use types and how the existing
areas are managed. Major forms of land use change and management practices
were identified based on cluster analysis of data from 106 interviewee’s
responses to a comprehensive global survey. Of the 1.04 × 10<sup>6</sup> ha cultivated with Jatropha in 2011 40% were established
on land that was cleared of vegetation as a result of logging activities
unrelated to Jatropha cultivation, 34% was defined as unused, and
the remainder was attributable to areas previously used for crops
or animal husbandry. With the exception of croplands, these areas
were dominated (90–98%) by a few internationally active companies
whose cultivation models were almost exclusively based on outgrower
schemes. Management practices were largely extensive in nature (low
mechanical input and infrequent use of fertilizers, pesticides and
herbicides), and also dominated by large projects. Broad surveys,
such as this, are useful in identifying general trends in this emerging
global industry, but detailed case studies, particularly of large
projects, are needed in order to draw more informed conclusions about
the site-specific impacts of Jatropha cultivation