In November 2023, a crucial chapter unfolded for the C-SINK Project. The bi-annual General Assembly Meeting took place in the heart of Edinburgh, bringing the whole Consortium together to discuss the project’s progress so far and, in particular, focus on biochar – one of the 7 Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) solutions studied within the project.
To kick off the General Assembly, each Work Package provided an overview of their work.
A reminder of the C-SINK work packages:
- WP1: Project management and status
- WP2: C-SINK CDR solutions comprehensive analysis and characterisation
- WP3: Methodologies for monitoring, reporting and verification of CO2 removal
- WP4: Legal framework, regulatory barriers and policy recommendations
- WP5: Social, environmental and total economic value assessment
- WP6: Dissemination, exploitation and communication
Following these overview sessions, Professor Ondřej Mašek and Christian Wurzer, University of Edinburgh, facilitated a visit to the UK Biochar Research Centre (UKBRC).
The UKBRC undertakes primary research into the production and use of biochar, exploring its potential applications and the feasible development of Pyrolysis-Biochar systems and Life Cycle Assessments for sustainable resource management. Biochar is one of the seven Carbon Dioxide Technologies within the C-SINK Project so this visit offered all project partners a real-life interaction with the research behind the production of biochar.
What is Biochar?
Biochar is a porous carbonaceous solid produced through pyrolysis, a process that involves heating biomass in a zero-oxygen environment. It has physiochemical properties suitable for the safe and long-term storage of carbon in the environment and, potentially, soil improvement, and the potential to contribute to reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, mitigating the impact of anthropogenic climate change. Its sustainable production can therefore be a significant, viable Negative Emissions Technology for mitigating human-induced climate change.
The second day of the C-SINK General Assembly focused on discussions facilitated by each Work Package leader, addressing key overarching themes including:
- Elevating scientific research: Deliberations on strategies to enhance the important scientific research undertaken by project partners, as well as efforts to explore avenues for introducing a more intellectual approach throughout the project.
- Building interconnections: Discussion focused on finding synergies between the Work Packages, seeking opportunities for aligning research efforts, and fostering collaboration to avoid isolation between Work Packages.
- Maximizing project impact: Brainstorming ways to maximize project impact both during and after the project’s lifespan, ensuring sustained influence and relevance.
- Identification and mitigation of risks: Discussions on identifying potential challenges, and mitigation strategies to prevent such impacts.
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