EUBCE 2026 - Aline MARTINELI BATISTA - Biomass Carbon Stocks are Critical for the LUC CO2 Balance of Eucalyptus in Brazil

Biomass Carbon Stocks are Critical for the LUC CO2 Balance of Eucalyptus in Brazil

Short Introductive summary

Eucalyptus is a key biomass source for Brazil’s bioeconomy. Sustainability claims depend on their carbon footprint, where direct land use change (DLUC) is a major factor. Current accounting relies on IPCC Tier 1 factors, which are continental-level ("Americas") and may not capture Brazil’s region-specific conditions. This study quantifies the impact of a Brazil-specific Tier 2 dataset for eucalyptus biomass on DLUC CO2 balance. We used a systematic review to develop new biomass carbon stocks (Cveg) for eucalyptus and recalculated the DLUC balance. The results showed an underestimation in Tier 1 data. In the primary cultivation zone (Tropical Moist), our Tier 2 Cveg was 78% higher. This improvement changed the national average forestry DLUC balance from -0.53 (Tier 1) to -1.78 t CO2 ha?¹yr?¹ (Tier 2). However, this new national average masks the municipal variability (CV=442%), with the CO2 balance signal reversing in 319 (of 5,569) municipalities. We conclude that Tier 1 data might be overestimating the carbon footprint. Adopting regionalized Tier 2 data may positioning eucalyptus-based bioproducts in Brazil as more climate-friendly than previously reported.

G. I. Zanini, Embrapa Meio Ambiente and Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Jaguariúna, BRAZIL
A. Martineli Batista, Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Jaguariúna, BRAZIL
R. Balbinot, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Department of Forestry Engineering, Frederico Westphalen, BRAZIL
J.A. Zanatta, Embrapa Florestas, Colombo, BRAZIL
M. I. S. Folegatti, Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Jaguariúna, BRAZIL
R.M.L. Novaes, Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Jaguariúna, BRAZIL