ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide information for evaluating the suitability of areas for sustainable expansion of biofuels in Mozambique, focusing on sugarcane ethanol. Then, it establishes criteria to identify in a stepwise approach factors of strong to moderated restrictions to sustainable biofuels expansion. Following the recommendation of the Mozambican Biofuels Policy, sugarcane served as a reference crop for bioethanol production. In addition, the chapter draws scenarios of sustainable expansion that considers additional attention regarding socioeconomic and environmental aspects. The work is developed using geospatial techniques, combining GIS databases, literature review and taking into account recommendations of international institutes dedicated to biofuels sustainability issues. The chapter concludes that Mozambique recorded small traces of change in land cover that can be directly attributed to anthropogenic action. Most of those are marked by the expansion of areas of small-scale agriculture and low-intensity pastureland.
