[Life] Carbon Credits More Than Planting Trees: Waste Wood Turned into "Biochar" as a Climate Solution
bellala 央廣5h ago
"Circular Double Law" accelerates industrial circular transformation and improves resource utilization efficiency. The Ministry of Environment stated today (17th) that in addition to promoting product circulation, to meet the needs of urban forest doubling and agricultural development, it will also actively promote the technology of converting waste wood into "biochar" in the future. International certification confirms that it can lock carbon for hundreds of years or more. Besides being a circular opportunity for waste wood, it can also become a climate solution. #Interview report by Central Broadcasting System reporter Liu Pin-hsi#
The Legislative Yuan recently passed the "Circular Double Law" in its third reading, legalizing green design and source reduction. The Ministry of Environment also recently released a new "Circular Mark" to encourage businesses to improve product circularity and the proportion of recycled materials used, thereby enhancing Taiwan's circular industry competitiveness. At a press conference held by the Ministry of Environment on the afternoon of the 17th, Lai Ying-ying, Director-General of the Resource Circulation Administration of the Ministry of Environment, stated that in addition to product circulation, the administration is also actively promoting the high-value utilization of wood resources, transforming waste wood into a climate solution.
Lai Ying-ying pointed out that in response to the doubling of urban forests and agricultural development needs, our country generates a large amount of wood waste annually, with a total national output of 1.339 million metric tons per year. The utilization rate of agricultural residual wood can reach over 90%, and the utilization rate of pruning branches from street trees and other daily life sources is nearly 60%. Related waste wood is primarily reprocessed into wooden products, paving materials, compost, etc., followed by conversion into fuel. However, because pruning branches from roadside trees often contain impurities and the cost of recycling and dismantling is extremely high, a significant amount of waste wood is still directly sent to incinerators or landfills, not only wasting resources but also increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Lai Ying-ying stated that the Ministry of Environment will promote the technology of converting waste wood into biochar (Biochar) in the future. This involves pyrolyzing and cracking waste wood in an oxygen-deficient environment, fixing "carbon" into a black solid carbon material, which can extend the carbon sequestration time. It is internationally recognized that this biochar technology can lock carbon for hundreds of years or more. She said: "(Original sound) These residual branches from urban pruning, and agricultural by-products like bamboo, are low-temperature pyrolyzed and cracked in an oxygen-deficient environment. After being baked, the wood does not burn, meaning it doesn't burn and turn into carbon dioxide released into the air. Thus, the carbon is locked in this black solid substance. Currently, there are internationally recognized certification methods, such as Verra, that are beginning to certify the number of years of carbon sequestration, etc."
Lai Ying-ying pointed out that biochar, with its sponge-like porous structure, can also be applied to soil improvement and water retention, environmental purification and filtration, and circular agriculture, combining resource circulation with net-zero carbon reduction benefits. The Ministry of Environment will create incentives for corporate participation through the Urban Forest Doubling Plan, local revitalization, etc. This move will not only solve waste problems but also implement ESG, achieving a win-win situation for both the environment and the economy.
Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming stated that biochar's carbon credits are more valuable than planting a tree and will be a core strategy for future net-zero carbon emissions and the circular economy. This involves many aspects, and the Ministry of Environment will convene experts from relevant fields to discuss, hoping to successfully develop Taiwan's biochar industry.
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215126
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