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 Turnbull pushes biochar for greenhouse policy 

Turnbull pushes biochar for greenhouse policy

18 May, 2009 12:02 PM
Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull last night urged the Rudd government to alter its emissions trading scheme and lobby internationally to have biochar recognised as a greenhouse gas abatement technology.

According to The Australian Financial Review, Mr Turnbull has claimed the coalition's climate policy could deliver deeper emissions cuts at less cost to industry by placing greater emphasis on measures such as energy efficiency and biochar - a high-quality charcoal that offers a way to capture carbon in soil.

Mr Turnbull said biochar was not recognised as a legitimate avenue for abatement under the Kyoto Protocols or under the government's proposal for an ETS and this should be rectified.

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
That's a good idea. The farmers can cut down all the trees and produce biochar which is then buried and we can return our overgrown properties back to agricultural food production and be paid for the job as well. Has the coalition had a change of heart, and are they willing to allow farmers to make money out of the woody weed regrowth!!
Posted by John Michelmore, 18/05/2009 1:14:43 PM
I do wish that the pollies would wait for the science to be properly developed, before claiming that it is the answer to the maiden's prayer. Although the concept of biochar sounds good, it is still far from proven. Unfortunately, both sides of politics are guilty of this sin.
Posted by Spinel, 19/05/2009 7:26:07 AM
The only thing this bloke knows about climate change is when he turns on and off his sun lamp!
Posted by tigerdicky, 19/05/2009 9:00:28 AM
Spinel is right, because at present there is a lack of proven and saleable technology available for producing Biochar and sequestering it. Malcolm Turnbull should understand that Biochar, as a solution, could never be more than a small tool in the climate change arsenal. Therefore, it could only be a part of a holistic approach to improve environmental management. I believe that our best efforts and precious resources must be critically focused on the centre of gravity in climate change, which is the production of ECONOMIC and ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE ENERGY...That’s a global solution! The stimulus packages should have included investment in sugar cane producing communities, where jobs, biofuels and infrastructure could have been developed for long-term benefit of all. However, there are few votes to be won there.
Posted by paul, 20/05/2009 12:05:59 PM

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