MFE invites biochar discussion

Developing a Carbon Removals Strategy

New Zealand currently relies on continually expanding forests for the carbon removals needed to meet emissions budgets and the Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement. A broader portfolio of activities is needed to sequester atmospheric CO2. This paper seeks agreement to develop a Carbon Removals Strategy.

OrganicNZ features biochar

OrganicNZ has kindly shared two recent articles on biochar for public access…

The soil improver: transforming forestry slash with biochar

“Kev Dowman tells Paula Sharp why we should be producing biochar on a commercial scale. He says it is an investment for our future, specifically the future of New Zealand’s land quality and how we can contain carbon.”

+ Biochar (same link)

Submitted by Dylan Graves

… and check out Dylan’s contribution to last month’s ABE newsletter

MPI funding for biochar research

Funding round open for Greenhouse Gas Inventory Research

Date: 09 June 2023

“The 10 priorities for this year’s funding round are:

development of a biochar database and methodology to include in New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory [1 priority]

A bit late reporting on this opportunity which closes on 28July but BNNZ has been invited to participate in the preparation of a proposal.

The Crucibulum

Here is some news should have been in the June ABE newsletter.

Art and Fire fuse together at this year’s Whangārei Night Lights Festival (July 5th-8th)


“Artists Sally Howe and Robert Mignault present ‘Crucibulum,’ an alchemical initiation of aesthetic and cultural transformation — where a live Biochar kiln process will be created as a large-scale contemplative immersive fire-sculpture.


We stand at the crossroads of climate crisis and the urgent need for action. Since ancient times, fire has been used for sacred purification and renewal. By witnessing the ‘Crucibulum’ at this significant time of Matariki, audiences will directly participate in that calling for profound personal and collective change. An ephemeral encounter with light, heat, art, community and alchemy during the festival, the resulting biochar will nevertheless be returned to the earth after the event to be sequestered as carbon for hundreds of years, thereby contributing to soil regen
eration and planetary healing.”

They did not need any help with getting the word out… all four nights sold out but keep a lookout for media coverage. The fire connection between arts & science around environmental repair & climate change action is heating up.