Is sustainability certification for biochar the answer to environmental risks?

Title
Is sustainability certification for biochar the answer to environmental risks?
Publication Date
2012
Author(s)
Cowie, Annette
Downie, Adriana
George, Brendan
Singh, Bhupinder Pal
Van Zwieten, Lukas
O'Connell, Deborah
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria
Place of publication
Brazil
DOI
10.1590/S0100-204X2012000500002
UNE publication id
une:12252
Abstract
Biochar has the potential to make a major contribution to the mitigation of climate change, and enhancement of plant production. However, in order for biochar to fulfill this promise, the industry and regulating bodies must take steps to manage potential environmental threats and address negative perceptions. The potential threats to the sustainability of biochar systems, at each stage of the biochar life cycle, were reviewed. We propose that a sustainability framework for biochar could be adapted from existing frameworks developed for bioenergy. Sustainable land use policies, combined with effective regulation of biochar production facilities and incentives for efficient utilization of energy, and improved knowledge of biochar impacts on ecosystem health and productivity could provide a strong framework for the development of a robust sustainable biochar industry. Sustainability certification could be introduced to provide confidence to consumers that sustainable practices have been employed along the production chain, particularly where biochar is traded internationally.
Link
Citation
Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, 47(5), p. 637-648
ISSN
1678-3921
0100-204X
Start page
637
End page
648

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