Circular Economy and Agricultural Decarbonization: An Integrated Multilevel Governance and Implementation Framework in Brazil

Agriculture is the foundation of food systems but faces growing challenges. According to the United Nations, 40% of the world’s land is already degraded, affecting both agricultural productivity and global food security. This study aimed to conduct an integrative literature review and a documentary analysis to map the evolution of international and national frameworks, highlighting their contributions to the Brazilian agribusiness. The methodology was based on a systematic literature review, crossing data from scientific databases (Scopus, Web of Science) with primary legal regulations. The analysis showed that the Brundtland Report (1987) and the Paris Agreement (2015) laid the foundations for sustainable development and shaped policies such as emissions accounting mechanisms. Focusing on the Brazilian context, the National Circular Economy Strategy and the Ecological Transformation Plan (2025) establish guidelines for integrating circular practices into the sector, including the use of organic waste, reverse logistics, bioeconomy, and agri-food systems. The ISO 59000 family standard and PR2030 Recommended Practice provide technical frameworks for measuring and standardizing circularity in agro-industrial chains. The discussion converges on a conceptual proposal of a multilevel framework specifically designed for the Brazilian regulatory scenario. However, gaps remain regarding traceability, the integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and circularity metrics. It is expected that legal and regulatory coordination offers strategic opportunities to reposition agribusiness as a driver of the circular economy and decarbonization.