Environmental concerns on traditional charcoal production: a global environmental impact value (GEIV) approach in the southern Brazilian context

Abstract

Environmental concerns on any anthropogenic activity are often systematized in impact assessments. Addressing the environmental impacts of traditional charcoal production is challenging regardless of context and volume produced. Most environmental assessments consider a few aspects when approaching production sustainability, mostly deforestation, forest clearance, and qualitative assessment of pollutant emissions. Charcoal production is more than the linear relation between forest, wood, and charcoal. There are more biophysics and socioeconomic aspects that should be considered when assessing charcoal’s environmental impacts and sustainability. Traditional production in brick beehive kilns is the most common situation in southern Brazil, where, in contrast to the Northern and Central Region of the country, production is aimed for the increasing demand of the domestic market, specifically for barbecue. This paper aims to discuss the impacts of charcoal making under traditional practices in a small-scale production context in southern Brazil, establishing a pertinent and significant environmental assessment which ensembles the vast complexity of production. The study was guided by the principles of qualitative and quantitative research, with exploratory and descriptive nature. The global environmental impact value was used to establish an aggregate impact value. Results suggest that under small-scale traditional practices, charcoal production aggregated impact may be neutral, with the economic dimension noticeably as the most positive impact valued and the health dimension as the most negative one. Results refute the general forejudgement of charcoal as a primary source of deforestation, forest degradation, and root GHG’s emissions. Results reinforces the urgency to adopt adequate policy to assure sustainability effectiveness. Traditional charcoal’s production may then support the livelihood of traditional small-scale farmers as well as the accomplishment of the sustainable development goals in developing countries.