Shropshire Council’s groundbreaking pyrolysis initiative has been shortlisted as a top finalist in the APSE Service Awards 2025, in the category of ‘Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative’. The winners will be announced on the 10th or 11th September.
Shropshire Council’s Pyrolysis Project Named Finalist in National Climate Action Awards
This recognition celebrates the Council’s pioneering work in turning low-grade biomass into carbon-negative biochar and renewable energy—delivering both environmental impact and financial savings. The project is on track to generate over 1,700 tonnes of biochar and 4,300 carbon credits (CORCs) annually by 2030, creating a new revenue stream while helping meet the Council’s ambitious net-zero target.
A key element of the work is through a strategic Joint Venture with local firm Woodtek Engineering, Shropshire has de-risked investment and fast-tracked innovation in the emerging biochar and carbon markets. Learning from the last few years has been packaged by consultants Klere to create the Shropshire Pyrolysis Framework. This is now enabling three other Local Authorities to follow suit—accelerating climate action and reducing costs through shared learning.
Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and economic growth, said:
“Our pyrolysis work is not only financially viable, but it also benefits the local environment, our farming communities, and other Local Authorities. With planning permission secured for our second unit, and biochar production meeting expectations at our Joint Venture, Shropshire is proving that local government can lead the way in climate innovation with economic returns”.
Watch the video: Building Net Zero Together: Shropshire Council & Local Innovation
NOTES:
The full list of finalists is available here: https://apse.org.uk/index.cfm/apse/news/articles/2025/announcing-the-finalists-of-the-apse-service-awards-2025/
Shropshire Council’s web page on pyrolysis is here: https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/shropshire-climate-action/joint-projects-and-programmes/biochar-from-pyrolysis/
Our introductory video (8 mins long) is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXgBDVv4sqE
