Pegadas hídrica e de carbono de produtos agrícolas: estudo da água de coco in natura

Abstract

This work assesses the carbon and water footprints of coconut water. Data were collected from farms in Ceará, located in the municipalities of Acaraú, Camocim, Paraipaba and Trairi, in addition to analyzing the production system published in the literature for green dwarf coconut trees. Footprints are calculated based on ISO 14046/67 standards, considering the production of 1L of coconut water. The carbon footprint is assessed by the climate change category (IPCC), while the water footprint profile covers the following categories and assessment methods: water scarcity (AWARE), toxicity and ecotoxicity (USETox), marine and freshwater eutrophication (ReCiPe). The results show that the coconut water produced in Acaraú and Camocim have the smallest carbon footprint and Paraipaba the smallest water footprint in relation to that produced on the reference farm. Trairi’s coconut water had the worst carbon footprint, while Camocim, the worst water footprint. The greatest reduction in the carbon footprint occurs when the coconut orchard is installed in an area that has been deforested and/or cultivated with a temporary crop for more than 20 years. In the case of the water footprint, the greatest reductions occur with less use of nitrogen fertilizer and water for irrigation.