The Biochar Bloom
What is Biochar?
Biochar is a charcoal-like material created through a process known as pyrolysis, where organic matter such as agricultural waste, wood chips, or manure is heated to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. This process converts the biomass into a stable, carbon-rich substance that can sequester carbon in the soil for centuries. Supporting biochar projects is crucial because biochar not only combats climate change by capturing carbon but also provides numerous benefits to farmers and ecosystems (Biochar International).
Biochar's Potential for Carbon Removal
Biochar has the potential to remove a significant portion of global emissions annually, approximately equivalent to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 or the total emissions from 803 coal-fired power plants each year (CarbonFuture). Additionally, in over 25 countries, particularly in Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe, biochar could remove at least 10% of emissions. In countries like Eswatini, biochar could reduce carbon emissions by over 30%, and in Malawi, Argentina, and Ghana, by more than 20% (ScienceDirect).
The actual capacity for carbon removal by biochar is influenced by factors such as the type of biomass used, the pyrolysis process, and the application rates. According to the latest IPCC report, to keep global warming within 1.5°C, we need to remove between 5 and 16 gigatonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere annually by 2050, a target we are currently not on track to meet (Nature Communications).
Biochar is quickly emerging as a crucial component in the pursuit of net-zero emissions. As a practical and cost-effective permanent carbon removal solution, it holds great promise. However, to achieve its full potential, biochar projects must be thoroughly evaluated and attract significant investment. With proper support, biochar could reach the scale needed to meet our 2050 climate targets (ScienceDirect).
Current Market
The Mercator Research Institute projects that Biochar Carbon Removal (BCR) could eliminate 0.5 to 2 gigatonnes of CO2 annually, positioning it as a key Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) solution to combat climate change (Mercator Research Institute). In 2023, biochar projects accounted for 94% of durable CDR deliveries, according to CDR.fyi (CDR.fyi). For companies seeking effective and reliable climate solutions, biochar offers one of the few scalable options with immediate impact.
Benefits of Biochar
Biochar offers a multitude of benefits, including climate change mitigation, improved soil health, increased agricultural productivity, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike other organic matter like leaf litter, compost, and manure, biochar is more effective at retaining essential nutrients and making them available to plants over time. According to Johannes Lehmann from Cornell University, biochar produced from agricultural waste requires minimal environmental capital (FoodTank). It has the potential to replace artificial fertilisers and other soil amendments, making it a groundbreaking approach to sustainable soil management.
Climate Change Mitigation: By converting biomass into a stable form, biochar sequesters carbon, thereby reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and helping to mitigate climate change. Its carbon storage can last from 100 to 1,000 years (Biochar International).
Soil Health Improvement: Biochar enhances soil fertility by retaining essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It also improves water retention and drainage, reducing soil erosion (ScienceDirect).
Increased Crop Yields: Incorporating biochar into soil management can boost crop yields by up to 30%, thanks to improved soil fertility, water retention, and pest and disease control (FoodTank).
Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Biochar reduces greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by lowering nitrous oxide emissions from fertilised soils and methane emissions from livestock (CarbonFuture).
Why We Love Biochar
Biochar is beneficial not only for farming and agriculture communities but also offers significant growth potential within businesses and strategic investment opportunities due to the rising demand:
Cost-Effective: It provides a lower cost per tonne compared to other permanent carbon removal methods (Biochar International).
Scalability: With a high technology readiness level, biochar is ready for large-scale deployment (CDR.fyi).
High Demand: Major companies like Microsoft and Shopify are investing in biochar, indicating a growing demand for high-quality carbon credits (CarbonFuture).
Commercial Applications of Biochar
In addition to improving soil and agricultural yields, biochar production generates thermal energy that can be used to heat nearby buildings. This dual benefit showcases biochar's potential to generate revenue from waste biomass, improve regional soil quality, and produce sustainable energy, making it a highly scalable and economically viable investment (Biochar International).
Quality Control and Risks
While biochar's potential is vast, it is crucial to address the risks and ensure consistent quality. Variability in feedstock and production processes can lead to inconsistent biochar quality, affecting its performance and environmental benefits. Potential contamination with heavy metals or other harmful substances is another concern.
To mitigate these risks, a robust regulatory framework is essential. This should include standards for biochar production, quality assurance protocols, and guidelines for safe application. Additionally, a transparent Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) is necessary to ensure that carbon credits from biochar projects are reliable and verifiable. These measures will help unlock the full potential of biochar while safeguarding environmental and human health.
Conclusion
Biochar is a promising technology for carbon removal and soil enhancement. As the technology advances and gains commercial traction, we expect to see more innovative biochar projects worldwide, contributing significantly to climate change mitigation and sustainable agriculture. We are excited to support these projects through the JustCarbon platform, helping them secure vital funding through our carbon farms model.
References
Biochar International: Biochar Offers an Accelerated Pathway to Global Decarbonisation
ScienceDirect: Biochar Research
CarbonFuture: Biochar Carbon Removal
Nature Communications: Biochar Studies