Asia Pacific conference will probe the science of biochar

The 1st Asia Pacific Biochar Conference in May this year will bring together academics, farmers, media, policy makers and industry to discuss the latest scientific research and business opportunities for development of Biochar.

CSIRO researchers will join delegates from across the region for the meeting, from May 17-20, 2009, at the Watermark Hotel, Gold Coast, Queensland.

Biochar is the stable carbon-rich product that results from heating biomass materials such as municipal green waste, poultry litter, forestry and agricultural residues in limited oxygen.

Biochar can be applied to soils to sequester carbon, to mitigate climate change, and to increase soil fertility and agricultural productivity. The process also yields renewable energy.

Organised by the Australia New Zealand Biochar Researchers Network and the Japanese Biochar Initiative, the conference will feature speakers from the Asia Pacific region on the latest scientific research and business opportunities for development of the Biochar industry.

Confirmed invited speakers include Prof Tim Flannery, author of "The Weather Makers" and Australian of the Year, 2007, and Prof Johannes Lehmann, Cornell University, USA, editor of the book "Biochar for Environmental Management".

Invitations to submit an abstract for this conference have been extended until February 13.

Links

• 1st Asia Pacific Biochar Conference website
• Dr Evelyn Krull
• The Australia New Zealand Biochar Researchers Network
• Biochar fact sheet