|
The influential magazine Nature has
called for an international code of best practice for
biochar that will evolve as knowledge comes in.
The call comes following the release by the United Nations
of the draft
negotiating text for Copenhagen which specifies
that biochar should be considered eligible as an advanced
mitigation option under a post-Kyoto treaty
Commenting on the development, Nature
said if the negotiators continue to find the suggestion
favourable, biochar would become a legitimate source
of tradable carbon credits. The periodical pointed out
that burying biochar could be the closest contender yet
for a ‘silver bullet’ solution to climate change in which
case its deployment could not come quickly enough. But
they added a warning that though re-creating terra
preta sounded simple, recent
research suggested that modern-day soils might respond
less well to the treatment. But the paper considered
that while all the evidence was not in, we don’t have
the luxury of time to answer them all definitively.
Nature therefore concluded that there
was a need for an international code of best practice
for biochar that could evolve as knowledge increased.
This code would clearly define acceptable land-use policy
for plantations, as well as a lower limit on carbon sequestered
from those claiming certification. They concluded that
inclusion in a global climate deal would speed the adoption
of biochar and help ensure it was applied responsibly.
Carbon Gold founder Craig Sams said,
“we completely agree with the need for an international
code of best practice. That is why Carbon Gold has already
taken a lead and developed a Statement
of Principles to
ensure that the carbon we produce is sustainable and
supports the communities in which it is produced . We
have also produced a methodology to ensure that the carbon
is not only measurable but can be independently validated.
We believe that biochar has a unique importance in countering
climate change and that it is absolutely essential to
ensure that all producers act responsibly.” Read
the complete Nature article…
|
