Biochar Demonstrator Addressing Key Deployment Barriers for Carbon Sequestration

Lead Research Organisation: University of Nottingham
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering

Abstract

For the UK to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2050, it is estimated that the mix of Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) technologies required will equate to ca. 35 M tonnes of carbon (MtC) p.a. Biochar can potentially make a major contribution both to this target and the adoption of farming practices described by the Committee on Climate Change (2020) to achieve a 64% reduction by 2050 in greenhouse gas emissions across agriculture, land use and peatlands by 64% from the 2017 level of 16 MtC. However, there are some significant challenges to overcome. There is limited availability of virgin wood to produce biochar and there are no large-scale production plants operating in the UK. Further, as well as economic viability and societal acceptability, there are concerns over biochar stability with initial degradation occurring over relatively short timescales.

We propose to conduct the most ambitious and comprehensive demonstration programme to date involving arable and grassland, woodland, contaminated land, and where soil erosion control is required. Using over 200 tonnes of biochar, we will address uncertainties regarding the extent and scope of deployment and its stability with respect to carbon sequestration, together with quantifying effects on ecosystem services.

The proposed research programme is highly inter-disciplinary, bridging engineering, geoscience, bioscience, social science and techno-economics, specifically designed to provide answers to the key challenges outlined and establish whether biochar can make a significant contribution to meet the UK's 2050 GGR target . The quantitative approach that we will adopt based on internationally leading science represents a step-change for biochar research in the UK, which has focussed primarily on agricultural benefits and not addressed the key challenges regarding carbon sequestration that are needed to reduce the uncertainty for policy development. Alternative bio-derived feedstocks that will significantly increase the production potential by >1 MtC p.a, will be identified. Two of our industrial partners, CEG and CPL operate demonstration and commercial plants, making them ideally placed to establish biochar production at scale in the UK. The extensive trials will provide a sound basis for establishing the potential for biochar deployment across agriculture, contaminated and reclaimed land and woodland, enabling regional and national scale effects to be quantified. To date, most field trials have been relatively localised and short-term. We aim to deploy char in large-scale farming and land management scenarios where the effects of 'real-world' management practices on the behaviour of char will be evaluated. Our excellent links with the farming sector, including the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and the National Farmers' Union, will provide the springboard to explore a wide range of stakeholder perspectives on biochar's role in GGR to aid policy development. .

The Demonstrator will address concerns over environmental health and soil ecosystem service functioning and will provide the first comprehensive assessment of biochar stability in the UK and its impact on greenhouse gas soil emissions, with our international leading biological science and analytical capabilities. This will enable robust policy to be developed in which payments are based on the amount of carbon sequestered over extended timescales. Our business models will be based on our integrated life cycle and techno-economic analysis, identifying the carbon prices required to make deployment feasible and incorporating co-benefits of biochar use in agriculture. The Demonstrator will provide the Hub with all the necessary scientific, technological, environmental, economic and societal evidence to enable biochar deployment to be assessed in relation to other GGR approaches.
 
Description The project has established collaborative relationships with over 20 projects across academia and industry, promoting research and commercial activity in the UK and globally. Collaborations with the private sector are influencing funding achieved by these organisations, both through public funding and private investment. Strong media engagement (local, national, and international) has provided education to publics and has resulted in contacts from farmers, industrial organisations, and academics. Specific public engagement activities have educated local communities and the wider agricultural community, influencing biochar use and understanding. In parallel, education and collaboration activities with policymakers and regulators is impacting emerging policy on GGR and biochar more specifically.
First Year Of Impact 2022
 
Description Contributed to and acknowledged in Parliamentary POSTNOTE Number 662: Restoring Agricultural Soils
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0662/
 
Description Contributed to and acknowledged in Parliamentary POSTNOTE Number 713: Carbon Offsetting
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0713/
 
Description ACCESS Network: Including the More-Than-Human World in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). Developing a Conceptual Framework - Flex Fund Project
Amount £23,887 (GBP)
Organisation Economic and Social Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2023 
End 09/2024
 
Description Direct air capture and greenhouse gas removal programme: Phase 1 - Bio-waste to Biochar (B to B) via Hydrothermal Carbonisation and Post-Carbonisation
Amount £214,580 (GBP)
Organisation Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2021 
End 01/2022
 
Description Direct air capture and greenhouse gas removal programme: Phase 2 - Bio-waste to Biochar (B to B) via Hydrothermal Carbonisation and Post-Carbonisation
Amount £4,997,822 (GBP)
Organisation Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2022 
End 02/2024
 
Description Management of Biomass Processing in the Greenways Highways Innovation project
Amount £129,564 (GBP)
Organisation West Sussex County Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2023 
End 03/2026
 
Description Paludiculture Exploration Fund
Amount £499,328 (GBP)
Funding ID C17476 
Organisation Natural England 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2023 
End 03/2025
 
Description Societal Driven Research to Improve Environmental Health in Riparian Zones
Amount £25,000 (GBP)
Funding ID NE/Y006011/1 
Organisation Natural Environment Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2024 
End 03/2025
 
Description Collaboration with Future Biogas 
Organisation Future Biogas
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Provided biochar and expertise for anaerobic digestion trials. Analysis of samples.
Collaborator Contribution Ran biochar trials in anaerobic digestors
Impact Trial results/data, not conclusive.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Collaboration with National Forest 
Organisation The National Forest Company
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Trial planning and sampling, and biochar procurement for trials. PI attended Timber festival 2022 on request.
Collaborator Contribution Site for biochar trial, biochar application/spreading.
Impact None yet.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Collaboration with Ricardo 
Organisation Ricardo UK Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Advice and knowledge exchange around biochar projects
Collaborator Contribution Potential materials processing as part of the Greenprint project
Impact None yet
Start Year 2024
 
Description Collaboration with Treeconomy 
Organisation National Trust for Scotland
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution LCA and biochar expertise & knowledge, analysis of samples.
Collaborator Contribution Provision of biochar and feedstock samples, information and business insights
Impact None to date
Start Year 2022
 
Description Collaboration with Treeconomy 
Organisation Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution LCA and biochar expertise & knowledge, analysis of samples.
Collaborator Contribution Provision of biochar and feedstock samples, information and business insights
Impact None to date
Start Year 2022
 
Description Collaboration with Veolia 
Organisation Veolia Environmental Services
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Knowledge exchange and research planning for lab and commercial scale biochar composting trials.
Collaborator Contribution Knowledge exchange and research planning for lab and commercial scale biochar composting trials.
Impact None yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description Collaboration with the Allerton Project 
Organisation Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Trial planning and sampling and biochar procurement for trials.
Collaborator Contribution Biochar application/spreading on research farm, additional research activities. Workshop to be co-hosted on site.
Impact Biochar trial underway.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Flexible fund project 1 - Bangor University 
Organisation Bangor University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Flexible funding of early careers research project
Collaborator Contribution Early careers project
Impact Outputs will be a short report
Start Year 2023
 
Description Flexible fund project 2 - Aberystwyth University 
Organisation Aberystwyth University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Flexible funding of early careers research project
Collaborator Contribution early careers research project
Impact Output will be a short report
Start Year 2023
 
Description Flexible fund project 3 - UKCEH 
Organisation UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Flexible funding of early careers research project
Collaborator Contribution early careers research project
Impact Outputs will be a short report
Start Year 2023
 
Description Knowledge Exchange and Trial Planning with Foresight Group 
Organisation Foresight Group
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Knowledge exchange and trial planning through online meetings.
Collaborator Contribution Knowledge exchange and trial planning through online meetings.
Impact None so far. Engineering and Biosciences
Start Year 2022
 
Company Name Farm Black Magic Ltd 
Description  
Year Established 2021 
Impact None so far, the company is still in it's infancy.
 
Description Article for Farmers Guardian 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Colin Snape and Helen West were interviewed for an article on Biochar for Farmers Guardian.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description BBC EM today interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Television interview for BBC east midlands today - broadcast to 635,000+ people.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Bio360 Expo Presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Genevieve Hodgins (Project Manager) presented at Bio360 Expo 2024 in Nantes, France, on Biochar Demonstrator progress to over 100 audience members, followed by a panel debate.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Biochar Demonstrator LinkedIn 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Biochar Demonstrator LinkedIn account
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
URL https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-biochar-demonstrator/
 
Description Biochar Demonstrator Newsletter 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact ~quarterly newsletter providing updates on biochar demonstrator activities
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023,2024
 
Description Biochar Demonstrator Twitter 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Biochar Demonstrator Twitter Account
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
URL https://twitter.com/TheBiocharDemo
 
Description Biochar Demonstrator Website 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Biochar Demonstrator Website, including blog launched in 2022
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
URL https://biochardemonstrator.ac.uk/
 
Description Biochar Regulations Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Around 40 policymakers, industry and NGO representatives, trial participants and academics joined an in-person workshop on biochar regulations in the UK, plus an audience of 10-15 people for presentations only.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Biochar Talk - East Midlands Farm Management Association 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Talk by Professor Paul Wilson to members of EMFMA on opportunities for locking up carbon in soils using biochar; progress made in recruiting farmers and contractors for biochar deployment campaign.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Community Outreach - Farm Talk (Farm Black Magic) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Farm talk to potential study participants, resulted in partnership with 2 farms for trials, as well as an ongoing relationship with the host farm.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Community Outreach - Festival of Science and Curiosity 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Hosted a biochar/seed planting activity aimed at school age children as part of the Festival of Science and Curiosity in Nottingham. Around 100 children attended the event we were present at.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Community Outreach - Listen by the Lake 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Audio listening posts to be established in Highfields Park Nottingham. Early careers researchers won one of these posts to record a short message about their research aimed at children and families. The posts a due to be erected in April 2022. The posts will be accessible to the general public and hope to spark discussions about science and climate change.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Community outreach - Nottingham Gardeners 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A presentation was given for a small group of gardeners and allotment holders around biochar use in horticulture.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Community outreach - Renewal Trust (st Anns allotments) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Talk presented to small group of allotment holders, in collaboration with the renewal trust (who run the St Anns allotments Nottingham), about biochar use in Allotments.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Expert Advisory Group - Biochar Demonstrator 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Expert advisory board for GGR Biochar Demonstrator, engaged with stakeholders and industry experts to gain insight and share research developments. Initial meeting was successful, informing the board of research to date and facilitating discussions going forward. The board will meet quarterly, providing a sounding board for the demonstrator as well as well as expanding the demonstrator network and access to important stakeholders.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
 
Description Farmers Weekly Article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Interviews for an article that was published in Farmers Weekly.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/land-preparation/soils/can-climate-change-champion-biochar-match-its-po...
 
Description Interview for The Climate Show with Tom Heap 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Interview with Sky for the Climate Show. Two researchers including Prof Colin Snape and a trial farmer were interviewed on biochar research for television broadcast and news article.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://news.sky.com/story/the-black-gold-that-could-help-fight-climate-change-for-centuries-to-come...
 
Description Interview/Article for New Scientist - Reproduced in The Times, The Mirror 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Interview for article in New Scientist, reproduced in other media outlets. Farmers contacted to engage in trials as a direct result.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/farmers-bury-burned-biomass-to-trap-co2-2pn799cxm
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/british-farmers-being-paid-bury-27102758
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.newscientist.com/article/2321288-farmers-in-england-will-bury-burnt-wood-in-fields-to-ca...
 
Description Low Carbon Agriculture Show 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Hosted a stall at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show over 2 days. Received lots of interest from farmers, agricultural organisations, and other organisations.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://lowcarbonagricultureshow.co.uk/
 
Description Social Science Webinar 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Social science researchers Carol Morris and Catherine Price hosted an online webinar covering the results of stakeholder interviews. There were ~40 attendees. Further interviewees were sourced from members the webinar audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Timber Festival 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Prof Colin Snape attended Timber festival and contributed to a campfire session (panel discussion) around trials done at National Forest
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022