Séquestration de carbone et valorisation de sites dégradés par la culture de saules à croissance rapide

The fight against climate change has become a global challenge and a priority for all countries. Canada, which is aiming for carbon neutrality within 30 years, is encouraging the planting of new trees dedicated to capturing atmospheric carbon (CO2). To meet this new challenge, it is necessary to find new areas not yet planted that do not compete with land dedicated to agriculture. Degraded sites are high potential targets for planting new trees and experimenting with new phytotechnological processes for capturing GHGs. This is particularly the case of former landfill cells of technical landfill sites (LET) which are no longer in operation. The present project aims to set up a large-scale greenhouse gas capture laboratory based on the cultivation of rapidly growing willows on the roof of this type of cell at the LET of Sainte-Sophie operated by Waste Management Inc. Willows, plants well adapted to harsh environments, will be planted over an area of ​​18 hectares which will be used to set up an experimental device involving several treatments to meet the two needs of owners of degraded sites and large industrial emitters. of GHGs, namely soil rehabilitation and carbon capture (emissions compensation). The new concepts that will be explored within the framework of this research project include: 1) the valuation of LET respecting the principles of soil conservation and sustainable production and integrating a) the application of fertilizing residual materials and b) the use alternative cultivation practices to herbicides to control unwanted plant species; 2) quantification of the potential for CO2 sequestration in situ (soil and roots) and exsitu (exported biomass) by planting willows on a degraded site; 3) local development of biomass (production of fragmented rameal wood or other) according to a circular economy principle; 4) the development of phytotechnology for capturing CO2 that can be deployed on thousands of degraded sites across Canada. The development of sustainable production methods as well as the validation of the carbon sequestration potential by willows on degraded sites, will allow the Ramo Group Inc. to develop a unique business model to expand its market and to promote this type of innovative practices. Résilience Conseil et Capital Inc. is counting on this acquisition of additional knowledge to increase its service offering and support its clients and partners in recognizing the offset credits generated by the future protocol. This project aims to support the development and growth of a carbon credit policy based on the enhancement of degraded sites across Canada.