Updates on Biochar and Copenhagen

Representatives of IBI and many other biochar supporters have been attending the UNFCCC COP15 meetings in Copenhagen Denmark, which began last week and continue to December 18. Delegates from around the world are in the midst of intense negotiations to work on a new climate agreement following up on the Kyoto Protocol.

As of today, Tuesday 15 December, the draft negotiation text that has been released by the Conference Chairs and Parties is very short on details pertaining to agricultural sector solutions and technologies, but placeholder text is included for domestic agricultural and land use activities of industrialized countries as well as for the financing of cooperative agricultural sector mitigation activities between developed and developing countries. The impact for biochar production and utilization systems is thus promising in terms of UNFCCC recognition of agricultural activities in helping to combat climate change, including the promise of biochar as a high-impact, low-cost climate mitigation and adaptation technology with multiple co-benefits. More information on the COP15 can be found at: http://unfccc.int.

IBI's Executive Director Debbie Reed noted that overall, the recognition and attention to biochar at COP15 has increased exponentially from even 1 year ago, when IBI attended COP14 in Poznan, Poland. Delegates and observer groups alike showed a greater familiarity and appreciation of the potential role of biochar as a climate mitigation and adaptation solution, both in the agricultural sector context and also as a more general technology to combat climate change. 
 
Below are reports on three biochar side events, provided by Debbie. We will post presentations from these events as well as further information on the IBI website at: www.biochar-international.org/copenhagen.

Monday 7 December

EU Side Event at EU Pavilion, Biochar application to soils - carbon sequestration and soil improvement potential
I heard through the well-populated and represented grapevine of biochar friends and colleagues that Monday's side event on biochar went very well. Though the side event was on the first day of the negotiations, it was very well-attended (standing room only), and there were many high-ranking individuals from European delegations in attendance, which is a good sign, since we want to get their attention. Also, according to those in attendance, there were lots of good questions and discussions.
 
Wednesday 9 December

Bellona Foundation Side Event at Bella Center, Biochar - delivering fast climate benefits?
Wednesday's side event on biochar hosted by the Bellona Foundation was also excellent -- standing-room-only, and lots of representation from small and developing nations eager to hear more about the potential of biochar. The Wednesday event was a refreshing change of pace, in that Jack Herheim of the Bellona Foundation, who moderated, held a panel discussion where he posed questions to the panel, and then opened the questions to the audience. Lots of thoughtful questions and good discussion, and we are all flooded by folks wanting to discuss more after that event. The audience interest and interaction is great.
  
Saturday 12 December

IBI's Official COP15 Side Event held Saturday, 12 December at the Bella Center in Copenhagen was a great success. Titled "Biochar:  Climate Mitigation and Adaptation with Food and Energy Security Benefits", the event featured key speakers who discussed emerging issues and current science related to biochar and links to food and energy security in developing countries and drylands. Every one of the 160 seats in the Victor Borg Room where the session was held was filled, and there were many attendees standing through the event, as well. The session was moderated by Jim Fournier of the Boulder, CO-based Biochar Engineering Corp, and presenters included Sergio Zelaya of the UNCCD Secretariat; Dr. Johannes Lehmann of Cornell University, and IBI Board Chairman; and Guy Reinaud of Pro-Natura International. Sergio Zelaya provided an overview of UNCCD efforts relative to biochar and dryland applications, including the incorporation of biochar in the UNCCD strategic plan, which shares elements and commonalities with many of the goals and objectives of the UNFCCC, particularly in the areas of soil carbon sequestration and the reversal of soil degradation and desertification in dryland areas. Dr. Lehmann provided a thorough update on scientific evidence and knowledge about biochar and biochar systems, particularly as related to drylands and developing country situations, and the role of biochar cook stoves in enhancing soil fertility and productivity while providing climate and health benefits. Guy Reinaud shared the Pro-Natura Green Charcoal technology, and results of biochar applications to vegetables, corn and rice crops in Senegal, and plans for additional projects in developing countries and drylands. The question and answer session was robust, but cut short by the need to vacate the room for the next scheduled side event.

More Information About Biochar

For more information about biochar, please see the IBI website.

Biochar fact sheets: http://www.biochar-international.org/publications

Biochar Policy: http://www.biochar-international.org/policy/international

Biochar Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): http://www.biochar-international.org/biochar/faqs