2025 – A 20-year update of the emergy ternary diagram: Technical and methodological advancements

Resumo (EN)

Since its proposal 20 years ago, the emergy ternary diagram has been widely used to assess environmental performance in various production and consumption systems. This Technical Note presents updates and im­provements implemented in the tool, both in technical and methodological terms. The modifications include
enhancements in the software programming, making it compatible with recent versions of Excel® and different operating systems, as well as a more intuitive and functional layout. Additionally, the software now supports the inclusion of partial renewability for each emergy flow, adjusting the calculations of traditional emergy-based indicators such as renewability, loading ratio, yield ratio, and sustainability index. The inclusion of partial re­newabilities can lead to more accurate assessments, as it acknowledges the fraction of the emergy input flow that
is renewable. The updated emergy ternary diagram stands out as an effective visual communication tool, enabling the quick interpretation of results and assisting decision-making by researchers and policymakers. A case study with Brazilian agricultural properties demonstrates the model’s applicability, highlighting differences in emergy performance across different management practices; more sustainable farms are those that are ecologically managed and have lower dependence on fossil-based resources. With these updates, the emergy ternary diagram is expected to remain a valuable resource in applying the method, contributing to more accurate assessments and advancing sustainability-oriented public policies.