Energetic-environmental assessment of a scenario for Brazilian cellulosic ethanol

► A Brazilian Biorefinery scenario producing cellulosic ethanol is assessed through an energetic-environmental approach. ► Energy, emergy, ecological rucksack and gas emissions indices were calculated. ► Biorefinery's ethanol productivity is much higher than first-generation ethanol plants. ► High ethanol productivity demands a high energetic-environmental cost. ► A trade-off exists and a systemic view should be considered by decision makers.