Cutting Carbon – Launch of our new EUKI project
Italy/Balkans: Biochar for carbon sequestration and in support of small-scale tree crops
With this project, the work carried out over many years by the foundation Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung, preserving species-rich agricultural systems at Mount Etna, is extending beyond this region to include areas in other parts of Italy and the Balkans. ‘Cutting Carbon’ is co-financed by the EUKI programme of the German Ministry for Environment, as the interventions are expected to result in significant sequestration of CO2. The project promotes the production of biochar from tree pruning material and its use for soil improvement on agricultural land and in urban greening.
Background
Throughout Europe, including the Mediterranean region, an increasing number of small-scale farmers are resigning from their farms or secondary agricultural activities, leading either to intensification through the consolidation of land and hence the loss of ecologically valuable buffer zones and diversity in cultivation, or to shrub encroachment and increased risk of wildfires.
Particularly among small-scale farmers, burning of fresh tree cuttings directly on site in olive and fruit groves is often observed, a practice harmful to biodiversity and climate.
We see a good opportunity for farmers to generate added value by using biochar from tree cuttings and unusable plant parts to improve their own soil. This could also be rewarded in terms of climate protection and the carbon footprint of their farms.
The project
The project focuses on carbon sequestration by adding biochar from tree cuttings to the soil. This is the most promising strategy for mitigating climate change, as each kilogram of biochar can permanently sequester 2–3 kg of CO2 from the atmosphere in the soil. Fruit growers are becoming climate protectors!
What has already been tested on small farms in Sicily with the support of the University of Catania as part of the ‘Humus per la Biosfera’ project, is now being tested in a similar environment in the Balkans. The project consortium, led by MHS, includes the NGOs Giacche Verdi Bronte in Sicily, EcoLogic in North Macedonia and Argonauta in Croatia.
The knowledge and practical experience gained jointly will be disseminated locally in workshops, conferences and seminars, and shared with neighbouring countries in the Balkans and the European Commission at a final conference in Greece.
Activities include experimenting with different methods of biochar production, training partners, disseminating information, and promoting an emissions certificate system that incorporates ecological criteria and may also benefit small farmers. The project also aims to identify business opportunities for small pyrolysis start-ups in rural areas.
Another aspect is promoting urban greening with the help of biochar. Environmental education for schoolchildren and public relations work is carried out by our local partners in countries involved.
The participating European volunteers and students are a particular asset to the three partner countries, as they contribute their own ideas and skills and can share the project findings after returning to their home countries.
