"At this field site, we are very lucky to have two key bioenergy crops growing side-by-side, which is allowing us to make a comparison of their effects on soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions from the soil, " he told BBC News.

BBC: Measuring bioenergy crops' carbon footprint credentials

Techniques that keep greenhouse gases trapped in the soil, such as injecting seeds rather than tilling, have already led to lucrative contracts.

ECONOMIST: The rise of the sink | The

For instance, the Hadley Centre for climate research in the UK, published research only this week suggesting that forests will speed up climate change in the future, as the soil will start to emit more greenhouse gases than the trees absorb as the temperature builds up.

BBC: Carbon-trading in Bolivia

The Commission says that illegal deforestation causes soil degradation, landslides, lost tax revenue, as well as an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases.

BBC: MEPs back ban on sale of illegal timber