The project concerned BioChar, which is a product of biomass-to-energy processing systems, and had as its aim to raise awareness and build confidence in BioChar as a way of capturing carbon and increasing soil quality and stability.

In order to keep up with international competition, it was 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 created a triple win scenario for simultaneously producing bio-energy, permanently sequestering carbon, while increasing crop yields by improving soil and water quality.

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.

1. Joint development and implementation of biochar knowledge dissemination strategy for authorities, producers and end-users of biochar and public opinion for raising awareness and building confidence in biochar applications. (WP2)

a) Successful execution of the dissemination strategy of biochar knowledge collected and obtained by the Interreg project

b) Creation of easily accessible and widely distributed newsletters as well as the manuscript for a popular book on biochar accurately describing the current state of affairs in all things biochar

c) The creation and/or development of vertically integrated national biochar networks / national forums supported by national biochar competence centres.

2. Joint development and implementation of knowledge and methodological standards on biochar feedstocks, logistics, production, biochar characterisation and environmental impact assessment. (WP3)

a) Creation of an extensive knowledge base and methodological standards on biochar feedstocks, logistics, production, biochar characterisation and environmental impact assessment

b) Greater insight into the inherent risks associated with the use of biochar such as the possible presence of toxins depending on the feedstock used and thereby recognition of the necessity of some form of certification for biochars

c) Additional steps were made with respect to the harmonisation of existing guidelines for biochar certification as published by the International Biochar Initiative (IBI), the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) and the Biochar Quality Mandate (BQM) and steps were made towards consensus on the topic of certification.  

3. Joint development and implementation of methodological standards on Biochar applications for soil quality and fertility improvement, for soil remediation and stabilisation and for carbon capture and storage. (WP4)

a) Creation of an extensive knowledge base on the application of biochar for soil quality and fertility improvement, for soil remediation and stabilisation and for carbon capture and storage

b) Successful execution of innovative field trials in all 7 North Sea Region countries

c) Identification of niche markets for new innovative applications of biochar

d) Greater insight into the possibilities of biochar as a method for large scale carbon sequestration.