Ground-breaking new research has emerged, highlighting the influential role of biochar, a carbon removal solution, in the reduction of global emissions at both national and international levels. This innovative practice has the potential to aid countries in mitigating the threats posed by climate change, while also facilitating large-scale decarbonization efforts and adapting to the effects of this global phenomenon. Biochar originated as an ancient farming technique employed by Indigenous communities in the Amazon thousands of years ago, and it has now evolved into a rapidly expanding global industry. By subjecting organic materials, such as forestry and crop residues, to controlled heating instead of allowing them to decompose naturally and emit greenhouse gases, biochar effectively locks away carbon for extended periods ranging from centuries to millennia. Furthermore, when employed as a soil amendment, biochar enhances soil health, promotes water and nutrient retention, and provides valuable assistance in combatting and adapting to the effects of climate change.
This significant study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Biochar and commissioned by the International Biochar Initiative (IBI). Its findings quantify the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) potential of biochar in 155 countries, demonstrating its capacity for net removal on both national and global scales. Notably, this evaluation assumes a sustainable supply of biomass derived from non-purpose-grown sources. Currently, biochar predominantly contributes to carbon credits, making it not only affordable but also scalable and readily available. In contrast to other carbon dioxide removal methods, biochar also offers numerous environmental and social co-benefits, such as improved soil health leading to increased crop yields.
Dr. Thomas Trabold, co-author and research professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability, highlights the significance of this research by stating, “This is the first study to quantify the significant role that biochar can play in global climate action and carbon removal strategies, particularly at the country level. It provides us with a starting point to understand the true potential of biochar on a national level. By considering the climate impact of co-benefits like fossil fuel displacement, improved crop yields, and healthier soil, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of biochar’s overall potential as a climate solution.”
The report’s inclusion of small-emitting countries carries particular significance. Although these nations have contributed the least to climate change, they often bear the brunt of its consequences, such as soil erosion and extreme weather events. Biochar presents a circular and sustainable approach to tackling climate change, allowing these countries to maximize their carbon removal potential while simultaneously boosting national and local revenues. It offers a means to enhance agricultural production sustainability, ranging from safeguarding soil security to creating employment opportunities at both community and commercial levels. For farmers grappling with multiple challenges exacerbated by climate change, biochar indeed represents a game-changer.
