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Bioenergy production from sugarcane can be one of the sustainable means of mitigating climate change. This was the central idea of the Conference, "Carbon Balance in the Sugar-Energy Sector," held in Brazil on September 14, 2021. The various panels showed that sugarcane stakeholders, including scientists, farmers, industrialists, and investors, are committed to making large-scale sugarcane production a key ingredient in the mitigation of climate change. Their strategies include sustainable land use and management practices to increase soil carbon sequestration; the large-scale production of biofuel, bioelectricity and bioproducts; negative emission industrial technologies; industrial waste recycling; and sector-specific policies rewarding farmers with carbon credits for avoided greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the sugarcane sector is not only key to promoting the social-economic development of Brazil, but also to promoting energy transition, curbing greenhouse gas emissions and consequently, reducing global warming and climate change. • Conference Report: 2021 Carbon balance in the sugar-energy sector. • Carbon Balance in the Sugar-Energy Sector 2021 Conference held by Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (Esalq), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba-SP, Brazil on September 14, 2021. • Sugarcane-derived bioenergy is a key ingredient in fighting climate change while simultaneously maintaining a balanced ecosystem (including enhanced soil health and increased capacity to sequester carbon) and promoting socio-economic development [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the results of the EX-Ante Carbon-balance Tool (EX-ACT) application on two rural development projects in Brazil. The analysis provides an estimate of project impact on GHG emissions and C sequestration indicating net mitigation potential: results show that the Santa Catarina Rural Competitiveness Project has the potential to mitigate 12.2Mt CO2e and the Rio de Janeiro Sustainable Rural Development Project 0.85Mt CO2e. Both projects are successful at promoting activities aimed at reducing rural poverty and also contribute to climate change mitigation, demonstrating the potential importance of sustainable agriculture (improved cropland and grassland management, expansion of agro-forestry systems and protection of forested areas) in delivering environmental services. EX-ACT has also been used as a tool to guide project developers in refining components and activities to increase project environmental benefits. Cost–benefit analysis shows that while both projects generate environmental benefits associated with climate change mitigation, the Santa Catarina Rural Competitiveness Project has significantly higher potential due to the size of the project area and the nature of activities, thus a higher likelihood of potential co-financing from climate finance sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The questionnaire assessed environmental awareness and knowledge about CCS technology. • The interviews were conducted using a face-to-face approach. • A structured research was employed using an ordinal qualitative scale. • Respondents were aware of the climate change. • Climate change mitigation actions are not a priority for respondents. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is considered an important option to mitigate climate change. However, the success of the new technology does not only depend on engineering practices and techniques but also involves social, political, and economic factors, as well as public acceptance. The discussion about CCS in Brazil is recent and few papers addressing Brazilian public perception and engagement with CCS were found. In this sense, this paper aims to analyze the environmental awareness about climate change and the citizens' perception of CCS technology. A public perception survey was conducted with 800 people in two Brazilian cities. Descriptive statistical techniques combined with hypothesis tests were performed to depict the results and to verify associations between different demographic groups to climate change issues and support for the development of CCS technology in Brazil. The results show that the public is aware of climate change and its consequences. However, despite public support for governmental development and investments in CCS technology, investments to mitigate climate change are not a priority for the population. Only 2% and 5% of interviewed citizens in the cities of São Mateus and Vitória, respectively, considered investments in climate change mitigation as a priority. More than 70% of respondents considered that other social elements, as health, public safety, and job creation, should be prioritized by the Brazilian government. The results suggest that the population needs more information about CCS technology and its impacts. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]