A new carbon capture research initiative hopes to evaluate how a range of arable and forage crops can enhance atmospheric carbon capture and soil sequestration.

The Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping (CHCx3) is a four-year project that aims to enhance value chains for industries such as textiles and construction, while also generating new revenue streams via carbon marketing.

Run by independent crop firm Niab, it will focus on four crop categories:

• Annual fibre crops such as industrial hemp and flax
• Biomass crops such as miscanthus, willow and poplar
• Forage and feed crops, including cereals and herbal leys
• Rotational cover crops.

See also: Farmers to reap slice of £5.9m Defra-funded pulse project

Project lead and head of Innovation Lydia Smith of Niab has urged farmers who are interested in growing these crops to participate in the project, where a number of webinars, workshops and field demonstrations will be available to attend. 

Field trials and demonstrations will examine the effect of cultivation systems and agronomy on both economic and environmental outcomes.

Further work will optimise the production and marketing of alternative crops such as hemp and flax for use in the textiles and construction industries.

A knowledge exchange hub will also provide resources to support effective uptake and use of crops with high carbon capture potential.

Carbon insetting/offsetting platforms will also be developed to quantify carbon removals, consistent with emerging standards.

For more information, contact chcx3@niab.com.