Eficiência energética e emissões de gases de efeito estufa na cadeia de produção, transporte e uso de carvão vegetal no posto administrativo de Mahele

Abstract

Biomass is one of the main sources for energy generation in developing countries (ANEEL, 2009). In Mozambique, it is estimated that around 80% of the population (urban and rural) uses energy from woody biomass as the main source of energy (Afonso, 2012). The present work aimed to evaluate the energy efficiency and the emission profile of the GHGs in the chain of production, transport and use of charcoal, from the native forest of the Administrative Post of Mahele, Magude district, Maputo province and a 7-year plantation of Eucalyptus grandis in the Inhamacari forest, Manica province. Data collection was carried out through surveys of chainsaw workers, furnace builders and charcoal transporters. The results indicate that the species used for the production of charcoal at the Mahele Administrative Post are Acacia nilotica, Colophospermum mopane and Combretum imberbe, the latter is not on the list of species authorized by the Forest Law for energy use. The production of charcoal from the native forest is an efficient process (43.97), the results indicated that to produce 1kg of charcoal from the native forest the energy consumed is less than that produced. When properly managed, forest biomass has characteristics that allow its use as an alternative source of energy, therefore, the analysis of the energy necessary for the establishment of Eucalyptus grandis plantations for the production of charcoal was also carried out. According to the results, the process is efficient (42.69), with a higher energy consumption in relation to the native forest, but it proves to be a more viable way to produce charcoal and contribute to the sustainability of the native forest. With regard to greenhouse gas emissions in the production of charcoal at the Mahele Administrative Post, the transport activity is the one that emits the most GHGs with around 65.17% of the total emitted, due to the use of diesel. CO2 was the GHG emitted in greater quantities with about 92.74%, the emission of CH4 was 4.76% and NO2 2.5%. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)