Open AccessLegal constraints and opportunities for biochar: a case analysis of EU law
Author(s) -
Laer Tania,
Smedt Peter,
Ronsse Frederik,
Ruysschaert Greet,
Boeckx Pascal,
Verstraete Willy,
Buysse Jeroen,
Lavrysen Luc J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
gcb bioenergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.378
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1757-1707
pISSN - 1757-1693
DOI - 10.1111/gcbb.12114
Subject(s) - biochar , legislature , negotiation , business , product (mathematics) , environmental economics , natural resource economics , law and economics , economics , law , waste management , political science , engineering , geometry , mathematics , pyrolysis
This article addresses biochar from a legal point of view. It analyses different policies and regulations from a E uropean (Flemish) point of view and provides a first and general insight in what potential legal constraints the development of a biochar industry might face and what opportunities lie ahead. This is due to the fact that biochar is a recent product and a lot of scientific uncertainty still exists regarding the consequences of its application. From the analysis it appears a multitude of policies and legislative measures influence the development of the biochar industry. Hence, it is important that all these policies and legislative measures are analyzed in an appropriate manner. Moreover, considerable lobbying, negotiating and cooperation between different disciplines (legal, scientific, economical, etc.) will be required so as to develop a feasible and safe biochar framework.