Application of the Sustainability Barometer in the sugarcane-producing microregions in Paraná (Brazil)

Objective: Collecting information related to sugarcane production in the microregions of Paraná, such as pesticide use, technical guidance received, GDP per capita, among others, to measure sustainability using the Sustainability Barometer. Methodology: A literature review and a quantitative approach (collection and grouping of 17 variables) were used, focusing on the microregions of Paraná with a high LQ for sugarcane production. Subsequently, the Sustainability Barometer methodology (Prescott-Allen, 1997) was applied. Originality/Relevance: Sustainability can be considered a relevant topic, capable of being analyzed from various perspectives (climate change, population growth, among others). However, measuring sustainability is often not a simple task due to the numerous elements that constitute it. Prescott-Allen (1997) developed a tool that can assist in this measurement, evaluating the potential and challenges of the analyzed areas. Results: In the analyzed microregions of Paraná, it was observed that the variables classified as Human (such as IFDM Health, IFDM Education, and GDP per capita) are mostly positioned in the "Potentially Sustainable" range. In contrast, the Environmental indicators (such as establishments that do not use pesticides, that receive technical guidance, among others) are in the "Intermediate" or "Potentially Unsustainable" range. This reveals that there is still a need to improve sugarcane production in terms of sustainability. Social/Management Contributions: The Sustainability Barometer methodology includes elements that aid in the development of the Human Well-being Index (HWI), the Environmental Well-being Index (EWI), and, complementarily, the Overall Well-being Index. It integrates disparate data to create a comprehensive overview of the sustainability of a region or country. Few studies utilize this tool for analysis, indicating that there is room for further research.