The project concerns BioChar (BC), which is a product of biomass-to-energy processing systems, and has as its aim in raising awareness and building confidence in BC as a way of capturing carbon and increasing soil quality and stability. In order to keep up with international competition it is mandatory to develop and compile a transnational NSR 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 creates 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 is to develop, implement and disseminate the Biochar-strategy in the North Sea Region (NSR) for climate change adaptation and climate change mitigation by increasing soil quality and stability with soil BioChar (BC)amendments. This project has 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
BC 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 BC knowledge within the NSR is scarce and scattered and in order to keep up with international competition it is mandatory to develop and compile a transnational NSR 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.

• Joint development and implementation of knowledge and methodological standards on biochar feedstocks, logistics and production.
• Joint development and implementation of methodological standards on biochar applications for soil quality and fertility improvement.
• Joint development and implementation of biochar knowledge dissemination strategy for authorities, producers and end-users of biochar.
• Establishment of a Biochar competence centre in each NSR country.
• Regional and national policy influence on implementation of biochar use in soils.