ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF PALM FRUIT BUNCHES FROM CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANIC PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTH BAHIA REGION, BRAZIL

Abstract

This study evaluated the environmental performance of palm fruit bunches in the Southern region of Bahia state, Brazil, comparing the conventional and organic crops. The assessment followed the steps in ISO 14040 and 14044 to assess the impact categories: acidification, global warming and use of non-renewable resources. In comparison to conventional crops, organic crops presented the best environmental performance, reducing the impacts in 27.6% for global warming, 69.0% for non-renewable resources and 89.4% for acidification. The main elementary flow in conventional crops system has been the use of synthetic fertilizers, due to their high energy demand and direct emissions in the use phase. In organic crops, the main elementary flow has been the organic fertilizers transportation, due to fossil (diesel) burning and emissions related to global warming and acidification. Although the organic crops present the best results, compared with conventional crops, it is important to consider the production systems interdependence.