Energy inputs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with small-scale farmer sugarcane cropping systems and subsequent bioethanol production in Japan

Highlights• LCA was conducted on ethanol production from sugarcane grown on small-scale farms.• Fossil fuel energy input and GHG emission were assessed using local and regional data.• 6.9-7.2 MJ and 0.62-0.67 kg CO2-eq were required/emitted to produce 1L of ethanol.• Energy balance (3.2-3.5) was less efficient than sugarcane study in Brazil (8.3).• Small-scale farmers could still function as viable energy producers in study area.