With more than 80 participants, both in-person and online, including representatives from utilities across Australia and New Zealand, environmental regulators, government stakeholders, the Australian New Zealand Biosolids Partnership, and the Australian and New Zealand Biochar Industry Group (ANZBIG), the RMIT lab trial and seminars provided a platform to discuss shared policy, market, and regulatory issues, and to educate policy-makers on biochar's potential contribution to the national economy and waste and carbon emission targets.
Biochar is a dense form of carbon produced by pyrolysis of biomass without oxygen, similar to charcoal, which has high market value and immense benefits to the environment and economy. The forum provided a platform to discuss shared policy, market, and regulatory issues surrounding biochar and to educate policy-makers on its potential contribution to the national economy and waste & carbon emission targets. The water industry produces around 300,000 dry tonnes of biosolids per year that could be used to reduce emissions and be utilized in a range of soil and non-soil end-uses that currently use fossil carbon.
In addition to the insights discussed, it also pointed out some of the challenges and opportunities for biochar adoption in the water industry. One of the challenges is the lack of awareness and understanding of biochar among water utilities. There is a need for more education and outreach programs to promote the benefits of biochar in carbon management and the circular economy.
Another challenge is the regulatory hurdles associated with biochar production and use. Biochar is currently classified as waste and difficult in obtaining Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), which makes it hard for water utilities to obtain the necessary permits and approvals for its production and use. The discussion provided a comprehensive view of the need for regulatory reform to recognize the value of biochar as a carbon sink and soil amendment.
Despite these challenges, the guest speakers highlighted several opportunities for biochar adoption in the water industry. For example, biochar can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil quality and increase crop yields. It can also be used as a carbon sink to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Overall, the sessions provided a valuable platform for stakeholders in the water industry to discuss the potential of biochar in carbon management and the circular economy. With continued collaboration and innovation, biochar has the potential to play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development in Australia and New Zealand.
WSAA is committed to advancing the conversation surrounding biochar, in partnership with water industry, government, regulators, and the industry supply chain. The forum offered an opportunity to outline the next steps and facilitate the collaboration on realizing the benefits of biosolids to biochar for all. Biochar is an emerging product that many water utilities are considering as a solution to biosolids, carbon, and circular economy management issues and opportunities.
29 Jun 2023
