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EUBCE 2026 - Giulia CRUZ LAMAS - Life Cycle Assessment of Urban Pruning Management in Brasília (Brazil): Potential for Sustainable Energy Valorization

Life Cycle Assessment of Urban Pruning Management in Brasília (Brazil): Potential for Sustainable Energy Valorization

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Circular bioeconomy and environmental performance: innovations and assessments

Life Cycle Assessment of Urban Pruning Management in Brasília (Brazil): Potential for Sustainable Energy Valorization

Short Introductive summary

Urban tree pruning generates large amounts of lignocellulosic residues that are usually treated as solid waste rather than as a renewable bioresource. In Brasília, this material is classified as urban waste and is currently destined mainly for landfilling or composting. However, pruning residues can represent a valuable biomass stream for sustainable energy production, particularly when subjected to thermochemical upgrading such as torrefaction. This study presents the first life cycle inventory (LCI) of the pruning management system in Brasília, including collection, transportation, and intermediate storage. Primary data were collected from municipal sources and field surveys. The LCI provides a quantitative foundation to assess the ecosystem service provided by urban pruning, encompassing carbon capture and potential energy recovery. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is further developed using the IPCC AR6 characterization factors to evaluate the global warming potential (GWP) of pruning management and valorization pathways. The results highlight the relevance of integrating waste management and energy policies to promote circular bioeconomy strategies in urban environments.

Presenter

Moderator portrait

Giulia CRUZ LAMAS

University of Brasilia, Mechanical Sciences Dpt., BRAZIL

Presenter's biography

I am a PhD candidate in Mechanical Sciences at the University of Brasília, working on Life Cycle Assessment, bioenergy systems, Sustainable Aviation Fuels, and low-carbon energy pathways. My research focuses on environmental modeling and carbon intensity assessment for renewable fuels.

Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited


Co-authors:

G. Cruz Lamas, University of Brasilia, BRAZIL
G. Ciribelli Santos Pompeu, Federal University of Uberlandia, BRAZIL
E. Amaral Silveira, University of Brasilia, BRAZIL

Session reference: 2AV.3.9