Estrategias para la reducción de la huella de carbono en el ciclo de producción de cacao (Theobroma cacao) en la finca Santa Cruz, en Puerto Quito

Abstract

During the last few years, the effects of climate change are more visible and have a direct relationship with environmental pollution, as they are increasing, one of the main factors are the greenhouse gases which contribute to the increase in global temperature, in this situation a tool for the calculation and quantification of the environmental impact through the carbon footprint is born. The present experimental work came to determine the carbon footprint generated by the cultivation and production of cocoa (Theobroma cacao), quantifying the carbon dioxide emissions and its fixation rate through allometric methods and the use of emission factors of the processes that take place in the Santa Cruz farm. In view of the results obtained, it is defined that the agroforestry systems associated with timber species are the ones with the highest carbon sequestration in the farm studied. In addition, once the carbon footprint was determined, it was possible to establish a strategic plan for the reduction of emissions in each of the different activities for cultivation and production on the farm.