The BIOCHAR Project has officially launched, marking a major step in turning biochar research into practical climate solutions for agriculture, construction and industry.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, and Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD, have announced €5 million in funding for the BIOCHAR project, which is being led by the University of Limerick.
The project will be delivered in Ireland’s Just Transition region, supporting rural communities as they adapt to climate action through innovation, skills development and sustainable economic opportunity.
BIOCHAR aims to maximise the visibility, uptake and scalability of project results by delivering targeted dissemination and exploitation activities that translate biochar research into practical, sector-specific insights for agriculture, construction, industry, policymakers and rural communities.
Biochar – a carbon-rich material produced from sustainably sourced biomass has the potential to improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance construction materials and support circular economy value chains. The project focuses on ensuring that these benefits are accessible, economically viable and aligned with regional and national climate goals.
The BIOCHAR Project will deliver tailored engagement activities, sector-focused resources and knowledge-sharing initiatives designed to support uptake of biochar solutions, while also informing policy development and future investment decisions.
J.J Leahy, Project Lead at University of Limerick, highlighted the project’s focus on impact and collaboration:
“BIOCHAR is about moving from research to real-world application. By working closely with partners and rural communities, we are ensuring that biochar solutions are practical, scalable and capable of delivering long-term value as part of Ireland’s climate transition.”
Bringing together research organisations, industry partners, policymakers and community stakeholders, the project will engage participants across the Just Transition region and beyond, ensuring that project outcomes are widely shared and embedded beyond the project’s duration. The project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund.
The WDC will join the project as a consortium partner, leading the development and delivery of a voucher scheme to support entrepreneurs in the Just Transition Fund region engaged in biochar production, a novel approach for the sector. Alongside the knowledge generated throughout the project, this will deliver valuable insights for sector development within the JTF region and more broadly, supporting circular bioeconomy initiatives across the Western Region and nationally.
This work also builds on our experience in the RE-DIRECT project (2016–2023), which supported regional businesses in emerging biomass markets.
