2019/01/22 by William K. Smith, Erik Nelson, Justin A. Johnson +10 · 1 citation
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Business, Management and Accounting · #Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development #Agricultural Innovations and Practices #Global trade, sustainability, and social impact
paper · pdf · doi:10.1073/pnas.1707812116
openalex publication_date 2019/01/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
) implementation pathways. Here, we illustrate and address these knowledge gaps using an ecosystem service modeling and scenario analysis of Bonsucro, the leading VSS for sugarcane. We find that global compliance with the Bonsucro environmental standards would reduce current sugarcane production area (-24%), net tonnage (-11%), irrigation water use (-65%), nutrient loading (-34%), and greenhouse gas emissions from cultivation (-51%). Under a scenario of doubled global sugarcane production, Bonsucro adoption would further limit water use and greenhouse gas emissions by preventing sugarcane expansion into water-stressed and high-carbon stock ecosystems. This outcome was achieved via expansion largely on existing agricultural lands. However, displacement of other crops could drive detrimental impacts from indirect land use. We find that over half of the potential direct environmental benefits of Bonsucro standards under the doubling scenario could be achieved by targeting adoption in just 10% of global sugarcane production areas. However, designing policy that generates the most environmentally beneficial Bonsucro adoption pathway requires a better understanding of the economic and social costs of VSS adoption. Finally, we suggest research directions to advance sustainable consumption and production.