Assessing Carbon Intensity in Rice Cultivation: Evidence from Brazil

Suarez, Ronny (2026): Assessing Carbon Intensity in Rice Cultivation: Evidence from Brazil.

Abstract

This working paper analyzes how variations in water management, technological intensity, and regional conditions shape both productivity and emission profiles in rice cultivation, using Brazil as an empirical case study. By contrasting irrigated and rainfed systems and applying IPCC methodologies, the study underscores the relevance of carbon intensity, rather than absolute emission levels, as a more policy-oriented metric for guiding sustainable agricultural strategies.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: carbon intensity; rice; tCO2e
• Subjects: Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q0 - General > Q01 - Sustainable Development; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q54 - Climate ; Natural Disasters and Their Management ; Global Warming

References

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Ribas, G. G., Heinemann, A. B., Stone, L. F., Pereira de Castro, A., Streck, N. A., Santos, A. B., Rocha da Silva, M., Steinmetz, S., Soares, C. F., and Zanon, A. J. (2025). Rice-based cropping systems in Brazil: Irrigated and rainfed. Crop and Environment, 4(4), 256-262.