Climate changing soils (Biochar)

The project concerns BioChar (BC), which is a product of biomass-to-energy processing systems, and has as its aim raising awareness and building confidence in BC as a way of capturing carbon and increasing soil quality and stability. 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. Biochar creates a triple win scenario for simultaneously producing bio-energy, permanently sequestering carbon, while increasing crop yields by improving soil and water quality. The aim of the project is 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 (BC) amendments. This project has three clear targets (work packages): 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.