Opening the portfolio of negative emissions technologies: A comprehensive study of social, techno-economic and ethical dimensions of biomass-based NETs in Sweden and Tanzania

The collaborative project “Opening the portfolio of negative emissions technologies: A comprehensive study of social, techno-economic and ethical dimensions of biomass-based NETs in Sweden and Tanzania” aims to:

1. situates the more well understood potential for for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage BECCS in Sweden with that of other NETs
2. explores the potential role of NETs with substantial local co-benefits in Tanzania
3. studies how climate scenarios are constructed by scientists and interpreted by policymakers, and
4. surveys ethical repercussions of deploying NETs at scales, especially those related to North-South relations, and how design of international policy could incentivize NETs responsibly.

IGZ takes part in the project theme NETs with local co-benefits in least developed countries (Tanzania). Our research investigates the permanence of biochar carbon storage and co-benefits in Karagwe, Tanzania. We seek to identify factors that challenge the sustainability of biochar systems in Karagwe and to assess the potential of biochar for replenishing soil fertility, soil C, the agricultural productivity (i.e. crop production), and the environment (i.e. reforestation).

The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council (Formas). Our partners in the project are Linköping University (Sweden), KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) and the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).