Sugarcane Ethanol Production in Malawi - Measures to Optimize the Carbon Footprint and to Compensate Indirect Emissions
Sugarcane ethanol is considered to be one of the most efficient first-generation biofuels in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The carbon footprint, however, increases significantly when taking into account emissions induced by indirect land use changes (ILUC). This case study investigates sugarcane ethanol production in the Republic of Malawi, in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). The currently high CF could be reduced when open storage of the vinasse is discontinued and/or when switching from pre-harvest burning to green harvesting. ILUC induced by prospective sugarcane expansions in the Southern Region will, according to current planning, probably not occur since these expansions are linked to the implementation of a large-scale irrigation project.
