Bioenergy Europe teamed up with the European Biochar Industry Consortium (EBI) to organise an interactive webinar on ‘Biomass-based Carbon Sinks. Carbon neutrality 2050 webinar.’
With over 370 participants, the webinar which took place on 8th April provided a great opportunity to discuss three realistic, quickly scalable and shovel ready biomass-based solutions for carbon removal: bioenergy with carbon capture and storage; forests as carbon sinks; and pyrogenic carbon capture and storage (Biochar).
With Europe politically setting the path to climate neutrality through the Green Deal, the aim of the webinar was to discuss these key biomass-based C-sink solutions, their technological readiness level and highlight their advantages, limitations and synergies with the long-term climate projections.
The event hosted 5 leading experts in this field;
- Dr. Simon Kay, Senior Expert, European Commission, DG Climate Action, Land Use and Finance for Innovation Unit
- Prof. Jan Minx, Head of working group Applied Sustainability Science, Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC)
- Dr. Hans Verkerk, Principal Scientist - Climate-Smart Forestry, European Forest Institute
- Dr.Sc. Kati Koponen, Senior Scientist, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
- Hansjörg Lerchenmüller, Chairman, European Biochar Industry Consortium (EBI).
The participants engaged in a lively discussion on new, innovative methods for carbon capture, carbon removal, and carbon storage. Presenting unique viewpoints from their own research, all speakers highlighted ways biomass-based solutions can contribute to climate change mitigation.
Dr. Simon Kay kicked off the event with an overview of how nature-based solutions can help the EU achieve climate neutrality.
“The balance of emissions and removals is critical” he said.
Referencing the EU’s Climate Law and Climate Target Plan, he outlined the potential to increase land negative emissions to 300 million tons CO2 by 2030 and achieve climate-neutral land by 2035.
There are different types of carbon removal options according to Prof. Jan Minx whose presentation looked at natural (forestry and agriculture), combined (natural and technological), and technological (energy and industry) ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
“We need rapid emission reductions and concerted efforts to scale-up CO2 removal” he said.
Dr. Hans Verkerk spoke directly about the role of forests in climate change mitigation, with forests representing two thirds of natural climate solutions.
According to him, Climate-Smart Forestry is the way forward. It can enhance carbon storage in forests, combine mitigation and adaptation measures in sustainable forest management, and substitute non-renewable carbon-intensive materials.
Explaining Bio-CCS (Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage), Dr.Sc. Kati Koponen believes Bio-CCS options such as Bio-CHP plants, Pulp mills, Bioefineries can help the EU fulfil its climate neutrality goals.
Chairman of EBI, Hansjörg Lerchenmüller, concluded yesterday’s webinar by discussing biochar and its ability to capture, remove, and store carbon.
Both Lerchenmüller and Kopenen, reminded the audience that these technologies can be deployed today: Bio-CCS is already an industrial scale carbon negative technology and Biochar is ready for deployment - the technology and certification of C-sinks is established while EBC certification guarantees sustainability.
Echoing Kay’s sentiments, Lerchenmüller finished by reminding people that “Climate neutrality means that emissions and carbon sinks are in balance”, which can start with Biochar.
Download presentations here.
