Panel Discussion on Biochar at ECOMED
Following the biochar conference in Bronte in March, Cutting Carbon took part at the international sustainability fair ECOMED in Misterbianco, Sicily. This fair organised in collaboration with the University of Catania and entitled ‘Biochar for Future Agriculture’ (‘Biochar per l’agricoltura del futuro’) constituted a 2.5-hour panel discussion, followed by a networking opportunity.
The specialist audience, who were involved through presentations on their own work and in the discussion, consisted of professors from the Universities of Catania, Messina, Palermo and Turin, the President of the Catania Association of Agronomists, representatives of the Italian Biochar Association (ICHAR), start-ups, as well as Giacche Verdi Bronte (GV) and the Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung (MHS).
EUKI project Cutting Carbon showed a video of a simple field pyrolyses biochar production and explained the promising climate impact of biochar: Biochar absorbs 2–3 times as much atmospheric carbon dioxide as was stored in the source material, e.g. tree cuttings.
One of the key points of the discussion was the debate on carbon credits and carbon farming. In both cases, the role of biochar was examined in depth as an essential element for achieving significant environmental, productive and economic results. The key points were clarified by Dr. Maria Rita Cammarata, a carbon neutrality consultant at the EU Agriculture Commission, and Susanna Di Vincenzo from the start-up 17 tons. Both agreed that the risk of greenwashing associated with the use of biochar must be avoided at all costs.
As a result of this event, we set up a working group with the various biochar experts for further exchange. Already the next event of this kind is planned in May at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Environment at the University of Catania. The visit to ECOMED was also a useful opportunity to get to know promising companies and talk to visitors.