Revealing the ecological footprint of Argan (Argania spinosa) derivatives: A comprehensive analysis of the carbon impact of Argan oil

Abstract

Argania spinosa, commonly known as the Argan tree, assumes a crucial role in bolstering environmental sustainability by augmenting carbon storage in both biomass and soil. Despite its significant environmental contributions, there exists a conspicuous gap in scientific research and data pertaining to the carbon dynamics associated with Moroccan Argan forest ecosystems and their prized products, particularly Argan oil. To address this research gap, our study meticulously investigates the intricate details of the carbon footprint linked to Argan oil production within the "Argan Biosphere Reserve" in southern Morocco.This innovative research aims to deliver a comprehensive assessment of the carbon footprint within the Argan oil industry, conducting a thorough examination of 10 companies and 16 cooperatives actively involved in production. The foundation of this investigation rests on on-site interviews with leaders of production units, systematically gathering essential data for rigorous analysis.Employing the "Bilan Carbone" tool, we intricately calculated emissions, categorizing them into three scopes. The resulting carbon footprint outcomes were meticulously delineated across three distinct scenarios, shedding light on the nuanced dynamics of greenhouse gas emissions.In the first scenario, encompassing all scopes, including export-related emissions, companies displayed an average carbon footprint of approximately 10.17 kg CO2 eq.l−1, while cooperatives recorded 8.68 kg CO2 eq.l−1. The second scenario, excluding export-related emissions, unveiled companies with an average carbon footprint of 3.71 kg CO2-eq.l−1 and cooperatives with 6.32 kg CO2-eq.l−1. The third Scenario, concentrating solely on scopes 1 and 2, indicated companies with an average estimated carbon footprint of 1.31 kg CO2 eq.l−1, and cooperatives with approximately 3.01 kg CO2 eq.l−1.Delving deeper into the intricacies of emissions by scenario and oil-producing organizations, our findings underscore the substantial impact of electricity consumption on the overall carbon footprint of Argan oil. For companies, electricity consumption contributed between 10.84% (first scenario) and 66.97% (third scenario), while for cooperatives, the range was 26.97% (first scenario) to 75.57% (third scenario).To optimize the carbon footprint, our study recommends strategic interventions such as reducing electricity and butane consumption. Moreover, adopting sustainable practices, including leveraging photovoltaic electricity and synthetic gas from the pyrolysis of Argan byproducts, can significantly curtail the average carbon footprint of companies and cooperatives, charting a trajectory toward environmental sustainability. Specifically, a reduction of 37.05% and 40.75% (second scenario) and an impressive 71.66% and 77.01% (third scenario) for companies and cooperatives, respectively, could be achieved after a 30-year amortization period of photovoltaic panels.These findings not only contribute valuable insights into the environmental impact of Argan oil production but also pave the way for future in-depth studies and the formulation of sustainable pathways to optimize the carbon footprint of this critical industry.