26 January 2011
Update on UNFCCC Negotiations and Biochar Potential
The potential inclusion of biochar as a climate mitigation and adaptation technology within the UNFCCC remains uncertain, but there is continued reason for optimism among biochar’s many proponents. Continued significant progress in the biochar field, coupled with mounting efforts to incorporate agricultural mitigation and adaptation opportunities within the UNFCCC negotiations, provide promise that biochar as a soil amendment will one day be recognized as a climate mitigation and adaptation technology.
This update on the UNFCCC process through the COP16 Cancun negotiations will address the current state of the Framework Convention with regards to agriculture, and by extension, opportunities for biochar, as well. It should be noted that, while previous draft language on agricultural sector mitigation opportunities within the Framework referenced the potential for biochar, no mention of biochar is included in current text being deliberated. However, mounting pressure to address global food security issues concurrent with climate mitigation and adaptation have highlighted the need to address terrestrial and biological carbon mitigation opportunities, particularly those within the forestry and agricultural sectors. Food security will be challenged by global population growth, and is likely to be further complicated by increased warming and the resulting impacts to water availability, crop and livestock productivity, and changing disease vectors and patterns. ecognition of these challenges likely will lead to increased investments and a renewed focus on tools and technologies to enhance agricultural adaptation and the resilience of soils, in particular. Biochar is uniquely positioned to aid in these critical overlapping arenas by building soil carbon sinks and mitigating climate change while also enhancing soil quality and resilience to drought and certain diseases, as well.
Finally, the potential for a work program on agricultural sector mitigation to be taken up by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) as early as June, 2011 holds the most promise for establishing a clear role for biochar. SBSTA, which counsels the Conference of the Parties on matters of climate, the environment, technology, and methods, meets twice a year. It will be critical that SBSTA incorporate biochar as a mitigation technology within that work program as the most likely and near-term means for biochar recognition within the Convention.
Download full UNFCCC Report
http://www.biochar-international.org/node/2267
This update on the UNFCCC process through the COP16 Cancun negotiations will address the current state of the Framework Convention with regards to agriculture, and by extension, opportunities for biochar, as well. It should be noted that, while previous draft language on agricultural sector mitigation opportunities within the Framework referenced the potential for biochar, no mention of biochar is included in current text being deliberated. However, mounting pressure to address global food security issues concurrent with climate mitigation and adaptation have highlighted the need to address terrestrial and biological carbon mitigation opportunities, particularly those within the forestry and agricultural sectors. Food security will be challenged by global population growth, and is likely to be further complicated by increased warming and the resulting impacts to water availability, crop and livestock productivity, and changing disease vectors and patterns. ecognition of these challenges likely will lead to increased investments and a renewed focus on tools and technologies to enhance agricultural adaptation and the resilience of soils, in particular. Biochar is uniquely positioned to aid in these critical overlapping arenas by building soil carbon sinks and mitigating climate change while also enhancing soil quality and resilience to drought and certain diseases, as well.
Finally, the potential for a work program on agricultural sector mitigation to be taken up by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) as early as June, 2011 holds the most promise for establishing a clear role for biochar. SBSTA, which counsels the Conference of the Parties on matters of climate, the environment, technology, and methods, meets twice a year. It will be critical that SBSTA incorporate biochar as a mitigation technology within that work program as the most likely and near-term means for biochar recognition within the Convention.
Download full UNFCCC Report
http://www.biochar-international.org/node/2267
Comments (1)
Joel