2WPRE_03

Summary

Vanessa Romário de Paula, a specialist in administration and logistics with a focus on dairy lifecycle assessment, discusses the importance of sustainable practices in the Brazilian dairy industry. She highlights Embrapa's alignment with sustainable development goals and the use of lifecycle assessment to measure carbon footprints. Vanessa emphasizes the need for accurate data collection from farms to inform strategies for reducing emissions, showcasing how targeted approaches can significantly decrease a farm's carbon footprint over time.

Takeaways

• 📚 Vanessa Romário de Paula, a specialist in administration and logistics, and a Ph.D. candidate at Embrapa, focuses on environmental issues related to dairy farming, particularly sustainability and lifecycle assessment.
• 🌿 The presentation aligns with Brazil's commitment to sustainable development goals, with Embrapa's projects and research aimed at sustainable practices and efficient use of natural resources.
• 🔍 The journey of Embrapa in lifecycle assessment and carbon footprint measurement began in 2014, with a structured approach to training and data collection for international databases.
• 📈 There was a heightened national awareness in Brazil in 2019 regarding carbon footprints, leading to the integration of international data into the National Carbon Calculation System.
• 🐄 The dairy sector, while not initially a focus due to its non-export nature, has seen increased attention for carbon footprint assessment, especially with the support of national databases.
• 🌱 The carbon footprint of milk production is significant, with 75% of emissions occurring within the farm gate, highlighting the need for sustainable practices directly on farms.
• 📊 The carbon footprint is measured in CO2 equivalents, considering the different warming potentials of various greenhouse gases, which is crucial for accurate assessment and strategy planning.
• 🔧 The process of data collection for carbon footprint assessment is challenging, requiring personalized approaches based on regional farming systems and direct interaction with farmers and industry partners.
• 🌐 The data collected is extensive, with nearly 2000 farms analyzed, providing a robust dataset for understanding the carbon footprint of milk production across different regions in Brazil.
• ♻️ Strategies for reducing the carbon footprint include improving feed efficiency, manure management, and the use of biodigesters, with a case study showing a 35% reduction in two years through various interventions.

Q & A

What is Vanessa Romário de Paula's area of expertise?

Vanessa Romário de Paula is a specialist in administration and logistics, holds a master's degree in life cycle assessment in dairy farming, and is a Ph.D. candidate in monitoring and management of natural resources at Embrapa, focusing on environmental issues related to sociability and life cycle assessment of milk.

What is the significance of the life cycle assessment (LCA) in the context of the dairy industry?

Life cycle assessment is a recognized international methodology standardized by ISO, used to account for the environmental impact of a product from production to disposal. In the dairy industry, it helps to identify strategies for reducing carbon footprint and implementing sustainable practices, contributing to Brazil's commitment to sustainable development goals.

Why was there a delay in the publication of the dairy industry's life cycle assessment in Brazil?

The publication of the life cycle assessment for the dairy industry in Brazil was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted field data collection. Data had been collected in 2019 and early 2020, but the analysis and publication only occurred in 2023, two years later than initially planned.

What is the role of the Carbon Credit Market in incentivizing sustainable practices in the dairy industry?

The Carbon Credit Market incentivizes producers to conduct life cycle assessments (LCAs) and adopt sustainable practices by offering financial rewards. This market-driven approach encourages producers to manage their carbon footprint effectively, even if the resulting environmental impact is high or low.

What are the challenges faced in collecting accurate data for life cycle assessments in the dairy industry?

The main challenges include data inconsistency, missing information, and the need for on-site guidance. Producers often lack detailed records of inputs and processes, leading to estimations that can skew the results. Additionally, the diversity of production systems across regions requires personalized data collection methods.

How does the type of farming system affect the carbon footprint in the dairy industry?

Different farming systems, such as confined, semi-confined, and pasture-based systems, have varying impacts on the carbon footprint. The efficiency of feed production, animal diet, and manure management practices within these systems significantly influence the emissions and, consequently, the carbon footprint.

What strategies have been effective in reducing the carbon footprint of dairy farms in Brazil?

Effective strategies include improving animal diet, adjusting herd composition, increasing productivity, and installing biodigesters for energy production and better fertilizer use. These strategies are tailored to the specific farming systems and regions, considering local resources and constraints.

How does the carbon footprint of the Brazilian dairy industry compare to the global average?

The Brazilian dairy industry's carbon footprint is below the global average, with a mean value of 1.38 CO2 equivalent per liter of milk. This is achieved through various sustainable practices and efficient use of resources, aligning with Brazil's commitment to sustainable development.

What is the significance of the 20-year amortization period for emissions from land-use change in the context of LCA?

The 20-year amortization period for emissions from land-use change is a standardized global approach to account for the initial high emissions that occur when land is first converted for agricultural use. By spreading these emissions over 20 years, it provides a more accurate and manageable representation of the ongoing impact of land-use change.

How does the life cycle assessment of milk production contribute to the development of sustainable policies and industry practices?

Life cycle assessments provide a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impact of milk production, from feed production to milk disposal. This information is crucial for developing sustainable policies, guiding industry practices, and informing strategic decisions that reduce the carbon footprint and promote resource efficiency across the dairy supply chain.