RenovaCalc: Calculation of Carbon Intensities Under Brazil’s National Biofuel Policy

Abstract

In 2017, Brazil launched its National Biofuel Policy (RenovaBio) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation matrix, aligned with the National Determined Contribution commitments under the Paris Agreement. The authors of this Technical Note formed a working group that structured the methodological framework for RenovaCalc, the computational tool used by producers to quantify the carbon intensity of biofuels certified under RenovaBio. The framework is based on the Life Cycle Assessment approach, in accordance with internationally recognized standards and bioenergy policy guidelines. For the 2025 cycle, 331 production units (75% of Brazil’s total) had their biofuels under certification obtained using RenovaCalc, which is currently available for biodiesel, ethanol, biomethane, and sustainable aviation fuel produced from numerous feedstocks. The calculator is widely adopted and possibly the most important life cycle tool in Brazil.