New Zealand Biochar Network

New Zealand has recently formed a Biochar Network in conjunction with Massey University’s Biochar Initiative. The Biochar Initiative is a wide ranging, multi-year, internationally linked research and development (R&D) program, which aims to advance the understanding of biochar as a mitigation solution to global climate change and to enable its uptake in New Zealand ­ particularly by the agricultural and forestry sectors. As part of this Initiative, Massey University has established the New Zealand Biochar Research Centre (NZBRC) to accommodate the two Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Professorial chairs in Biochar and Bioenergy Pyrolysis Engineering, and in Biochar and Soil Science Research.  Dr Marta Camps has recently been appointed as the Associate Professor of Biochar and Soil Science.

Research on several aspects of biochar technologies has started at the NZBRC, in collaboration with other NZ and overseas Research Institutes, local industry, regional government and community groups. The research centre aims to advance the understanding of biochar for mitigating global climate change and to enable its use in NZ, particularly by the agricultural and forestry sectors. The work at the NZBRC is organized into three closely linked streams of R&D activities: (i) soil science and biochar, (ii) pyrolysis plant and biochar engineering, and (iii) biochar and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.

The Biochar Network has been established to disseminate research results from the NZBRC and other research organisations, and also international knowledge, to stakeholders interested in biochar. A workshop involving approximately 35 people was held earlier in February to inform network participants as to what is planned, and two seminars, featuring Dr Camps research, are scheduled for April in Hamilton and Rotorua.

For additional information on the research programme contact Dr Marta Camps or for more general information contact the Biochar Network Coordinator, Bill Dyck.