Strategy and Work Programme for Pyrolysis

Denmark aims for climate neutrality by 2045 and a 110% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (compared to 1990). The government supports pyrolysis, a technology that converts biomass into carbon-rich biochar, which can store CO₂ in agricultural soils for centuries, helping reduce emissions in the agricultural sector. The Danish government is working to accelerate pyrolysis technology to meet the 70% emissions eduction target by 2030 and the long-term goals for 2045 and 2050. Danish companies are already developing pyrolysis, and the government’s Pyrolysis Strategy and Work Programme aims to scale up the technology, overcoming barriers and driving its role in Denmark’s green transition. The strategy and work programme can be summarized in 3 focus areas:

Focus Area 1: Clear and Simple Regulation

• Establish clear and simple regulations within EU law for the application of biochar from mid-2026.
• Greater clarity on siting options for pyrolysis plants through amendments to the Planning Act from January
  1, 2025.
• Study the formation, content, and breakdown of environmentally harmful substances in relation to the
  pyrolysis process and the production of biochar by 2026.
• Explore potential environmental and agronomic effects through multi-year field trials.
• Strengthen municipal guidance through advisory statements on permits by the end of 2024, along with
  guidance on environmental approvals.
• Establish a pyrolysis task force to coordinate the implementation of government initiatives and involve a
  working group of relevant stakeholders.
• To establish the foundation for clear and simple regulation the government has allocated a total of EUR
  13.5 million from the Research Reserve for 2023 and 2024 to this effort.

Focus Area 2: Enhanced Incentives for Expansion

• Establish a subsidy scheme of DKK 1.4bn (DKK 10bn) for biochar stored in agricultural soils from 2027.
• Prioritize funding for research, development, and demonstration of pyrolysis technology in connection with
  an upcoming green research and innovation initiative.
• Provide guidance on displacement factors when reporting pyrolysis-based fuels to meet the national CO₂
  displacement requirement.
• Support the European Commission’s efforts to implement a sound and credible pan-European certification
  system for carbon removal in the EU (EU CRCF).
• Analyze opportunities to target CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) support for the use of biochar in
  agriculture during the next CAP reform period.

Focus Area 3: Climate Impact and Emissions Accounting

• Develop an emissions factor for biochar to be included in the Danish greenhouse gas inventory from 2027.
• Measure methane emissions in 2024 and set an emissions factor for pyrolysis plants by 2025.
• Prepare a knowledge synthesis on alternative storage options for biochar by 2025

source :

https://www.pyrolysedanmark.dk/en/_files/ugd/6b993d_36462effbe11482c8b3ec724edb58671.pdf