PUTTING CARBON BACK INTO SOIL
In a world having too much carbon in the atmosphere and obsessed about expensive and dangerous technologies for it’s
removal, it is comforting to know that a form of charcoal has now been accepted by the IPCC as a useful tool in the
fight against climate change.
Biochar is charcoal which can be used to lift productivity in agriculture and as a long-lived carbon store in soils. It
can be used to enhance water quality and as a bioremediation tool for contaminated soils. The production of biochar can
also deliver secondary bioenergy benefits and deal with many types of ‘liability’ biomass. Biochar has attracted
worldwide attention as a Negative Emissions Technology (NET) in the latest IPCC report, presented at COP24. Biochar has
been identified as having positive impacts on 12 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
A growing number of New Zealand farmers are becoming interested in making and using Biochar, leading to a new
organisation is being formed, Biochar Network New Zealand (BNNZ), which will have its Inaugural General Meeting in
Pukekohe on 14 February.
BNNZ is planning to promote and support activities that provide widespread awareness, understanding and acceptance of
Biochar in New Zealand, leading to a diverse range of production and application scenarios for the benefit of New
Zealand’s agriculture, industry and environment.
The BNNZ IGM will take place at 10am on 14 February 2019 at the Reid Anderson Lounge, 18 Wesley Road, Pukekohe.
If you wish to attend, or participate via remote access, please email your request to: BNNZ@soilcarbon.org.nz
For more information about biochar please see: