IBI June Newsletter

Some SEA news within...

• Asia Development Bank seems to be developing a greater interest biochar. They helped supported a biochar study that I worked on with Bryan Hugill in 2010 (http://sea-biochar.blogspot.com/2010/12/biochar-project-proposals.html). One of their staff is also now on the IBI board. Hopefully, this can lead to better support for regional research activities.
• UPM have forged links with the Leibniz Institute of Agriculture... "Biochar in Agriculture - Perspectives for Germany and Malaysia" http://www.biochar-international.org/profile/ATB_Germany
  



The Philippine Biochar Association (PBiA) and the Federation of Irrigators Association – Bucao River Irrigation System (FIA-BRIS) are conducting training programs to help people start their own biochar businesses.

http://www.biochar-international.org/newsletter

I can also advise the Biomass-SP have tentative plans to support some biochar industry capacity building in Malaysia. More about that as things develop (but if you are interested in participating or supporting this initiative, then please get in touch).

ADB Job Opportunity: Biomass and Biochar Technology Specialist

This follows on from the recent ADB announcement covered in my earlier post...

http://sea-biochar.blogspot.com/2011/07/adb-agrees-4-mln-grant-to-boost-biomass.html

"The subject regional capacity development technical assistance (R-CDTA) aims to improve utilization of biomass in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam (CLV). This will be achieved through: (i) harmonization of sustainable standards, certification systems, and other mechanisms to enhance regional cooperation on bioenergy development with food security ensured; (ii) implementation of pilot projects to demonstrate mechanisms for scaling up biomass investment projects for bioenergy or food security; (iii) capacity-building support for project stakeholders; and (iv) knowledge products and awareness campaign. The mechanisms for scaling up demonstrated under the R-CDTA are expected to lead to ensuing ADB investment projects in Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam" 

"The specialist will be in charge of:

1. review biomass availability, including seasonality, pricing, quality, and competing demand (if any) and the biomass and charcoal briquetting sector, and logistics issues surrounding feedstock supply for small-sized projects;
2. design and conduct a beneficiary needs assessment of traditional biomass, feedstock, and charcoal briquetting supply agents and benefit streams, and conduct a comparative analysis of various biomass conversion technologies, including financing models, delivery mechanisms, and program modalities (e.g., compost making, biochar);
3. provide benchmarks for technical performance and carbon credit potentials;
4. develop a framework for the application of these technologies, including aspects related to institutional needs, financing needs, and information, awareness, and capacity-building needs, and conduct gender-sensitive capacity-building activities;
5. conduct gender-sensitive capacity-building activities and interventions; and
6. design a biomass conversion pilot project for composting, biochar, etc., where deemed appropriate."

 "Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge about biomass and biochar use for bioenergy, including the charcoal briquetting sector and various conversion technologies
• Technical Background
• Knowledge about the existing biomass use initiatives in GMS region as well as the existing institutional framework in GMS countries
• Experience in design of biomass conversion pilot projects is an advantage
• Experienced in capacity building activities on biomass and biochar
• Previous work experience within international donors funded projects
• Previous work experience on ADB funded projects is an advantage
• His/her experience should include assignments in Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• Citizenship of one of ADB’s member countries is obligatory! (see www.adb.org/about/membership.asap)"

http://www.devex.com/en/jobs/biomass-and-biochar-technology-specialist

ADB agrees $4 mln grant to boost biomass use

"The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Monday it has approved a project that would help Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam scale up the use of biomass waste in agriculture to meet growing need for clean energy and food security for poor rural households"...

... "ADB said the project would fund pilot investment projects to scale up biomass technologies such as household biogas systems, biochar kilns, and improved cooking stoves. The project will also conduct studies, build human and institutional capacity on biomass investment, and promote regional exchange among the three countries." ...

http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/National/2011/7/94503/
 

Promoting climate friendly bioenergy and food security in the Greater Mekong Sub-region

"Promoting climate friendly bioenergy and food security in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (assessing the possibilities for 2011)"

This was the title of the FAO and ADB sponsored  workshop at which I presented on biochar and the output from the Yunnan Biochar Study on 11 February at the ADB Thailand Resident Mission, Bangkok. As well as FAO and ADB the audience included representatives from EEP Mekong, UNDP, government agency reps from Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, France, Japan and USA. Mae Fah Luang University, AIT and other independent agencies were also represented at this small, informal forum (~30 participants).

 The program included 6 presentations:

• GMS partnership, activities on bioenergy and proposed program – Climate friendly bioenergy and food security (ADB) 
• Bioenergy & Food Security – A regional perspective (FAO)
• Possibilities for using microfinance for farm/household level bioenergy technologies (AIT)
• Developing and testing standards for biomass energy in ASEAN (JGSEE)
• Developing opportunities for public private partnerships in rural bioenergy (ECO-Asia)
• Potential for biochar in the GMS (BSL-SaafConsult).

Please get in touch if you are interested in seeing any of these presentations. Please also refer to the earlier postings on the Yunnan biochar study.

Assessing Opportunities for Biochar in Yunnan, China and the Greater Mekong Sub-region

I have submitted the following announcement to IBI for their June newsletter:

Biochar Systems Ltd (BSL) and SaafConsult have commenced a biochar related study for FAO-RAP in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) under the GMS Economic Cooperation Program. The objective of this study is to examine opportunities to use biochar for the benefit of rural communities with a focus on Yunnan Province, China. Yunnan is one of two southern China provinces in the GSM. A Yunnan based study participant organisation is still to be finalised.

Planned outputs from the study include a report, project proposals and a GSM workshop. The study group will be seeking biochar community support related to the preparation of proposals for follow-up projects that will be presented as part of the study. A further announcement will be made on this very soon.
Trevor Richards, BSL (febiochar@gmail.com)
Bryan Hugill, SaafConsult BV (bhugill@saafconsult.com)