The potential role of biochar in combating climate change in Scotland: an analysis of feedstocks, life cycle assessment and spatial dimensions

Abstract

Pyrolysis¹ biochar systems (PBS) could assist in meeting the Scottish Government's target of a 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 relative to 1990. Drawing on literature review of land use and biomass availability in Scotland at present and in the future, and using established life cycle assessment models, we find that biochar could contribute between 0.4 and 2 MtCO₂ equivalent (e) abatement per year in Scotland now (2009), increasing to between 1.4 and 4.2 MtCO₂e/yr by 2030 and to between 1.5 and 4.8 MtCO₂e/yr by 2050. The practicalities of such biochar deployment are explored further through spatial analysis. Through multi-criteria decision analysis, various factors are weighed up and traded-off against one another to show optimum locations for pyrolysis biochar facilities. The factors considered include proximity to sources (feedstock for biochar production), sinks (for biochar application), and proximity to transport infrastructure etc. Preliminary results show that most of the potentially suitable sites are around the central belt extending into Fife.

Keywords:

• biochar
• pyrolysis
• Scotland
• carbon abatement
• land use

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through a Science and Innovation Award, and to the European Regional Development Fund (Biochar – Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme (2007–2013)) for funding the research.

Notes

1. Pyrolysis is a thermochemical conversion process in which organic materials decompose in an atmosphere depleted of oxygen. (Shackley et al. 2011, p. 37).

2. These are 5-year budgets with caps for CO₂ and other GHG emissions in UK, starting 2008–12 (CCC 2010).