Eldorado/Estadão - "Decarbonization, food, and biofuels: the future of the country", says Mr.José Eduardo Luzzi
Publicado em 26/06/2025
Divulgação
Tejon and José Eduardo Luzzi, Chairman of the MBCB Board
Published on June 20th/2025
Agriconscient Show
*José Luiz Tejon
Broadcasted by Radio Eldorado Estadão-Brasil
Translated / Copydesk by Teacher Francisco Barbosa Bardhal
Brazil on the Move: An extremely important event is taking place this week in São Paulo: the Low-Carbon Mobility for Brazil (MBCB) conference.
I’m here with Mr. José Eduardo Luzzi, Chairman of the Board of this organization, at an event of great significance for Agribusiness, which is increasingly being evaluated not just within the farm gates. Tropical Brazil is a world champion in agriculture, and what happens before and after the farm gates is equally crucial. That’s where transportation and logistics come into play.
So, I asked Mr. Luzzi over the importance of this movement for the perception and competitiveness of Brazilian Agribusiness and what we can do to improve Brazil’s overall logistics. He responded:
"We’re very pleased to organize this event, where we’ve got together Brazil’s top experts on mobility decarbonization, as well as an extraordinary presentation exposing the ‘Food vs. Fuel’ debate. In Brazil, there is harmony between biofuel and food production. These two sectors will grow significantly in the future without competing with each other. Today, we’re addressing transportation, mobility, and decarbonization in logistics. When we consider agribusiness as a whole, we must also account for ‘inbound and outbound’ logistics, meaning the goods that arrive at farms and those shipped out. Currently, in Brazil, transportation is predominantly road-based, relying on trucks, which run on diesel."
Brazil offers excellent alternatives to diesel fuel, featuring engines that deliver similar performance to traditional diesel while reducing carbon emissions by over 90%. Specifically, I am referring to biodiesel, especially next-generation biodiesel, which promises even higher quality and safety. Additionally, biomethane is another promising alternative.
Brazil, also, has incredible potential for Biomethane use. Right now, we’re tapping into less than 3% of our biomethane production capacity, much of which will come from our Agribusiness, whether through the sugarcane sector (utilising vinasse), agricultural waste, or even protein industry byproducts."
"What we need to do now is advance existing initiatives, such as the “Fuel of the Future” program, by improving regulations and, most importantly, implementation. We must also consider public and private investments, supported by clear regulations and legal security, so Brazil can produce enough bioenergy to meet future demand."
Next, I asked Mr. Luzzi about the importance of Ethanol, Biodiesel, and Bioelectricity, considering consumers in a megacity like São Paulo, and whether we can truly rely on these solutions. He replied:
Absolutely. Our studies show that Brazil’s vehicle fleet, currently at 48 million, will reach around 67 million by 2040, with 32% of these being electrified. By "electrified," I mean both pure electric and hybrid vehicles, with the majority being biofuel-electric or ethanol-electric hybrids. For heavy vehicles, the primary technological pathways will be biomethane, along with increased biodiesel blends in diesel. These changes will drive significant decarbonization in mobility and help meet society’s expectations.
I also want to emphasize another important aspect: decarbonizing the existing vehicle fleet. To achieve this, it’s essential to raise awareness among flex-fuel vehicle users, most of whom currently predominantly fill up with gasoline, and encourage them to switch to ethanol.
Furthermore, we should promote the use of higher blends of anhydrous ethanol in gasoline and increased biodiesel content in diesel. Alongside these measures, implementing a permanent fleet renewal program is crucial, gradually phasing out older, more polluting vehicles and replacing them with newer, cleaner technologies.
Thank you, Mr. José Eduardo Luzzi. Without a doubt, Agribusiness has tremendous growth potential through these energy sources, as well as through decarbonizing its own transportation to remain globally competitive.
"It’s also important to mention, dear Tejon, the socioeconomic aspects. As proven and presented today in our seminar, biofuel production increases rural income, creates skilled jobs, and boosts wages. All of this leads to benefits for society and the Brazilian people."
Yes, and it’s crucial to dispel the myth that food and energy compete. Actually they don’t.
It’s food and energy, moving forward together.
*Prof. Dr. José Luiz Tejon – PhD in Education Universidad de La Empresa/Uruguay; Academic Director Brazil+Tropical Belt Nations at International Agribusiness MBA Audencia France & Fecap Brazil; Master's degree in Art Education and History of Culture - Mackenzie University; Journalist and Publicist - Harvard, MIT and PACE/USA/ Insead in France; Specialization Academic Coordinator of Master's Science Food & Agribusiness Management at Audencia in Nantes/ France, and FECAP/Brazil; Managing Partner at Biomarketing and TCA International; Professional Head at Agri Anefac; Writer, author and co-author of 37 books; Agri Personality Award 2023/ABAG -100 Most Influential People in Agribusiness; Former director of Grupo Estadão, Agriceres and Jacto S/A; 2025 Award Agriworld Group.
