Abstract
Willow biochar can help to sequestrate carbon. However, biomasses should not be grown on arable lands, as it would increase competition with food production and lead to sustainability issues such as increased food prices and decreased food security. The purpose of this study is to calculate the carbon footprint (CF) of willow biochar in Finland and assess the greenhouse gas compensation potential of marginal lands if they are utilized for willow biochar production. The CF of willow biochar is inadequately assessed together with marginal lands in the literature. A cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of willow biochar was conducted. The results were then applied to assess the total CF of marginal lands. It was found that the CF of willow biochar is −1875 kgCO2eq t−1 of dry biochar. Grown on marginal lands in Finland, willow biochar could compensate 7.7% of yearly agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. On buffer zones, willow biochar could also compensate some of the emissions depending on the zone size. The results of the study support current findings of biochar as a carbon negative product. The study also indicates that willow biochar produced in marginal lands can be used to compensate agricultural greenhouse gas emissions to some extent.
Highlights
IntroductionIn the current climate crisis, the efforts to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions seem to be falling short, and GHG reduction alone is no longer adequate to keep the global temperature rise to below 1.5 ◦ C of pre-industrial levels
The negative carbon footprint (CF) from the replaced district heating is caused by the assumption that less heat needs to be produced by combined heat and power (CHP) plants when excess heat from pyrolysis is utilized for district heating
This study has extended our knowledge of the CF of willow biochar in Finland, considering it together with the total CF of marginal lands growing willow for biochar production
Summary
In the current climate crisis, the efforts to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions seem to be falling short, and GHG reduction alone is no longer adequate to keep the global temperature rise to below 1.5 ◦ C of pre-industrial levels. To keep the temperature rise under control, techniques such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and negative emissions technologies (NET) are required [1]. Smith et al [2] list seven different NETs that can be used for GHG removal from the atmosphere. One of these NETs is converting biomass to biochar for use as a soil amendment. According to Smith [3], this NET has fewer disadvantages than many other NETs and is an attractive option for GHG removal. This study focuses on the production of biochar and its usage in soil amendment
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