Biochar

Background and Aim

Aim
The aim of the project was to develop, implement and disseminate the Biochar strategy in the North Sea Region for climate change adaptation and climate change mitigation by increasing soil quality and stability with soil BioChar amendments. This project had three clear targets (workpackages):

1. Implementation of biochar knowledge dissemination strategies for authorities, producers and end-users of biochar 
2. Transnational development and compilation of knowledge base and methodological standards 
3. Transnational development and compilation of knowledge base and methodological standards on Biochar applications.

Background
BioChar is a product of thermal biomass-to-energy processing systems and is a way of capturing carbon, making the soil climate change resilient and producing bio-energy. The BioChar knowledge within the North Sea Region is scarce and scattered and in order to keep up with international competition it is mandatory to develop and compile a transnational North Sea Region knowledge base, which can be utilized by national and regional authorities, businesses and the general public.

Climate change in the North Sea Region is predicted to have a pronounced effect on annual rainfall patterns. Soils, rich in organic matter and biological life, function both as a water buffer during periods of drought and as drainage during periods of heavy rains. Application of biochar into soils is also a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) strategy because it actually creates a sink for carbon in soils and prevents its release into the atmosphere.