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Sustainability in Agave tequilana weber farming: A life cycle assessment

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  • Adrián Salvador Morales García
  • Jorge Luis García‐Alcaraz
  • Julio Blanco Fernández
  • Eduardo Martínez Cámara

Abstract

Tequila is a popular alcoholic beverage made from Agave tequilana weber. This study presents a cradle‐to‐gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of the farming process of A. tequilana weber used in tequila production. Real data obtained from plantations at different stages of growth and maturation were used to evaluate the environmental impacts of the four stages of the farming process: land preparation and planting, nutrition, weed and pest control, and harvest and transport. Results showed that the production of one tonne of A. tequilana weber pineapple generates 11.85 kg CO2 eq, with the weed and pest control stages having the highest impact and the nutrition stage having the lowest impact. This study contributes significantly to the current understanding of the environmental impact of tequila production and provides insights into the sustainability of the farming process of A. tequilana weber.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrián Salvador Morales García & Jorge Luis García‐Alcaraz & Julio Blanco Fernández & Eduardo Martínez Cámara, 2025. "Sustainability in Agave tequilana weber farming: A life cycle assessment," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(1), pages 823-835, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:1:p:823-835
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.3146
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nemecek, Thomas & Huguenin-Elie, Olivier & Dubois, David & Gaillard, Gérard & Schaller, Britta & Chervet, Andreas, 2011. "Life cycle assessment of Swiss farming systems: II. Extensive and intensive production," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(3), pages 233-245, March.
    2. Nemecek, Thomas & Dubois, David & Huguenin-Elie, Olivier & Gaillard, Gérard, 2011. "Life cycle assessment of Swiss farming systems: I. Integrated and organic farming," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(3), pages 217-232, March.
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