Application of the multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach in the identification of Carbon Footprint reduction actions in the Brazilian beef production chain

Abstract

Abstract Global awareness regarding the effects of Climate Change has led to a more restrictive society and demanding concerned with Greenhouse Gas Emissions associated with consumption. In this context, the livestock sector is seen as a major contributor to various impacts, as it is implemented throughout different climatic zones, with high variations in production and food systems, which, in turn, present direct impacts on productivity and environmental externalities. In this context, the aim of this study was to rank possible improvement actions that allow the reduction of the Carbon Footprint originated from Brazilian beef exports considering multiple criteria, from the identification of the impact profile associated with the final product. Thus, the Carbon Footprint was first estimated considering the production phase, in the Brazilian Central-West, and beef processing and transport until its delivery at three main final export destinations: Rotterdam, Shanghai and St. Petersburg. Subsequently, multicriteria decision-making methods were applied in order to quantify and rank possible improvement actions, with the joint application of the Fuzzy Set Theory and the TOPSIS method. Finally, the criteria are presented in the form of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) matrix for each evaluated alternative. The animal production stage represented the main impacts of Climate Change on the product system (over 96% for all export destinations) due to the digestive fermentation of the animals, leading to methane emissions. The option to implement improvement actions for the evaluated productive arrangement, the use of protein-energetic supplementation and pasture fertilization-rotation in the animal production phase, alongside the replacement of road transport units by more modern vehicles in the industrial phase, were identified as alternatives that decrease the impact potential and facilitate the animal production phase. In this sense, the results point to possible improvements that, in addition to presenting low restrictions for implementation, can significantly reduce the beef Carbon Footprint. Improving Brazilian efficiency in terms of Carbon Footprint in this production chain can, in addition to provide a strategic differential concerning production and commercialization, contribute to reduce environmental impacts resulting from the sector at a global level. However, it is necessary to search for measures that facilitate the implementation of these actions, mainly at the rural producer level, considering both technical aspects and the qualification, training, consulting and financial aspects, such as credit and subsidies, improving the environmental performance of this arrangement with a view to balancing it with the other dimensions.