Don Coyne & Melissa Rebbeck: Overcoming Barriers to Sustainable Innovation

In this episode of The Biochar Show, host Meghan K. Lees engages with Don Coyne (CEO, Australia New Zealand Biochar Industry Group) and Melissa Rebbeck (Board Chair, Australia New Zealand Biochar Industry Group), leaders in the biochar and sustainability sector. They discuss the evolution of biochar, its applications in agriculture, the challenges faced in the market, and the importance of policy and investment in scaling biochar production. The conversation highlights personal journeys into the biochar industry, advancements in technology, and the potential of biochar to significantly reduce carbon emissions and improve soil health. The episode concludes with advice for those looking to enter the biochar sector and a look at the future of biochar in Australia.

 

About the Guests

Don Coyne is a qualified horticulturist with over 25 years experience in the industry. He is also a qualified vocational trainer & assessor, frontline and small business manager. He has led teams across multiple sectors including Horticulture, print media and education & training. He has worked previously with NSW DPI Soils team as Technical Assistant on Biochar field trials. He owns and operates Byron Biochar now in it’s tenth year, as a reseller of quality Australian made biochar and wood vinegar, workshop deliverer and as a marketing consultant and lead generator to fast track your biochar journey and project. In his previous role, he was the First Public Officer & President for Australia New Zealand Biochar Initiative (ANZBI) from 2017-2020 and founded,  the Australia New Zealand Biochar Conference from 2017-2020 now owned by ANZBIG. 

Melissa Rebbeck has worked across a broad cross-section of stakeholders in the circular economy, agriculture, natural resource management and water to develop business cases, projects, policy and solutions to adapt and mitigate climate change. She has spearheaded over 40 projects and programs with every one of her projects achieved on time and in full with all milestones met. Melissa has 25 years of experience as a project developer, business manager and applied researcher within SA Research and Development Institute, the University of Adelaide, and as managing director of her company Carbon Drawdown Projects.  Melissa is now Business Development Manager at Metamorf Engineering a company with innovative continuous pyrolysis options for biochar, renewable energy and carbon removal.  Melissas has a broad range of board experience including a term as an elected member for the Alexandrina Council, in S.A. 

 

Related Links

• Australia New Zealand Biochar Industry Group (ANZBIG)
• World on the Edge: How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse by Lester R. Brown
• A farmer's guide to the production, use and application of biochar by Stephen Joseph and Paul Taylor
• Australian Biochar Industry 2030 Roadmap
• Code of Practice for the Sustainable Production and Use of Biochar in Australia and New Zealand
• Byron Biochar
• Metamorf Engineering

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