Environmental indicators in the discussion of sustainability: a proposal for strategic analysis in the context of ethanol from sugar cane in São Paulo

Author(s)

Priscila Rodrigues Gomes

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2011-02-21

Examining board members

Tadeu Fabricio Malheiros; Valdir Fernandes; Evandro Mateus Moretto

• Advisor: Tadeu Fabricio Malheiros

Abstract

Currently there is a significant demand of society and managers with information and tools to put into practicing the concept of sustainable development and effectively internalize the policies, plans, programs and interdependence recognition between the various dimensions such as environmental, economic, social and institutional. Increasingly the sustainability issue has brought new variables to discussion and decision making to consider the many variables within the same plane. One of the main motivations for considering the interdependence of these dimensions is the fragility of the development model based on the use of non-renewable energy sources, as well as its impacts on socio-environmental and consequences in the economic area. In this scenario, ethanol from sugar cane as a renewable source of energy emerges as a potential substitute to the use of petroleum-based fuels (in particular gasoline), especially in Brazil, where it is a reality. There is an optimism and encouragement concerning public policies in energy with respect to this source, particularly with policies to encourage its growth. However, there is also society questioning about the real sustainability of this energy source, given the impacts from its cultivation, production and use on a large scale. These questions gain strength when held in São Paulo State, given the representation of activity against Brazil and the world. In this context, it is evident the importance of building tools that will assess the sustainability into an integrated way about ethanol from sugar cane, and inform decision makers, basing public policies for sustainable development. These tools, as well as policies based on them, are in the state of Sao Paulo, necessarily by the Environment Secretary of São Paulo - SMA / SP. The indicators to capture the complexity of development without reducing the significance of each system component appear as such those tools. With the purpose of evaluating the environmental indicators produced by SMA / SP against the principles and good practice criteria in the construction and use of indicators, this study seeks to advance the discussions, particularly in terms of evaluation methods on indicators toward environmental sustainability, within the study context ethanol sugar cane in the state. This study presented a method conducted through interviews and a workshop of experts that pointed out as a result, a set of benchmarks for analysis of these indicators. Even as a research product the built method was applied to one of the main indicators used by the SMA, which is the WQI - Water Quality Index, revealing, through a SWOT analysis, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats in this indicator to discuss the sustainability of ethanol. Future studies aimed at improving the applications are desirable for improved performance and composition of a proper system to design and evaluate indicators for this activity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/07671-0 - Environmental indicators for ethanol of sugar cane sustainability assessment
• Grantee: Priscila Rodrigues Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master