A new £4.8M project funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to increase biomass crops grown in the UK, will launch at Low Carbon Agriculture Show at the NAEC, Stoneleigh, on 7 February 2023.
Biomass Connect is a new initiative that intends to showcase best-practice and innovations in biomass feedstock production at sites across the UK and through a biomass Information hub.
Dr Jeanette Whitaker, Biomass Connect lead and principal scientist in soils and land use at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), said the project is about supporting land managers to plant more sustainable biomass crops. “Our project will act as a focal point for the biomass industry, supporting the expansion of sustainable biomass production in the UK.
“The Climate Change Committee indicates that expansion of biomass feedstock cultivation from 10,000 ha to 730,000 ha by 2050 is required to deliver net zero for the UK. This will require significant changes in agricultural land use over the coming decades,” said Dr Whitaker.
“Launching our initiative at the Low Carbon Agriculture show therefore seemed the obvious choice to raise the profile of our project and discuss the challenges for the biomass sector at an event attended by individuals and organisations focused on decarbonising agriculture,” she added.
The Biomass Connect launch will take place between 16:30 – 17:30 on 7 February 2023 at the show and will include an outline of the project, information on why more sustainable biomass is crucial to reaching net zero, and how it can benefit farmers.
Held in partnership with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Low Carbon Agriculture show incorporates four expos including: ‘Environmental Business Expo’, ‘Farm Technology Expo’, ‘Energy Now Expo’ and ‘Low Emission Vehicles Expo.’
Government-funded biomass initiative for UK farms launching at Low Carbon Agriculture Show
