While cutting greenhouse-gas emissions remains essential for tackling climate change, science increasingly recognises that carbon removals, actively extracting CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it, will be indispensable to meet ambitious climate goals. Models indicate that pathways limiting warming to 1.5°C require both carbon removal and deep emission cuts. According to the World Resources Institute, carbon removal is “the only way to remove excess CO₂ in the atmosphere that’s causing the worsening climate impacts we’re seeing today.”
One promising carbon-removal approach is biochar, a form of charcoal created by heating organic material, known as biomass, in an oxygen-free environment at temperatures of 400°C or higher. This process, called pyrolysis, produces energy-rich gases and liquids as well as a solid product—biochar. When applied to soils, biochar not only locks carbon underground for long periods (hundreds to thousands of years) but also enhances soil health, nutrient retention, and crop yields.
In the UK context:
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Biochar is explicitly cited in the UK’s carbon-budget pathways as a form of engineered greenhouse-gas removal (GGR), projected to remove around 3 MtCO₂ per year by 2050, about 8% of the UK’s engineered GGR requirement.
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The UK biochar market was valued at USD 1.96 billion in 2022, projected to grow at ~15.5% CAGR through 2030.
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Trials show tangible soil benefits in England (e.g., improved water retention, nutrient exchange, aeration) and biochar’s potential to support both agriculture and carbon-sequestration objectives.
Biochar stands out as a dual-benefit solution: removing carbon and improving agricultural productivity.
The project:
Brodie Biomass Ltd (BBL) is a sustainable farming enterprise located near Brockham in Surrey, England, dedicated to environmental stewardship through innovative biochar production. The company sources locally available timber offcuts and coppiced wood, which are converted into high-quality biochar using advanced pyrolysis technology. This process supports a zero-waste model, transforming wood residues that might otherwise be burned or left to decompose into a stable carbon-rich product with multiple uses.
Revenues from the sale of certified carbon credits play a critical role in enabling expansion, funding new pyrolysis units, and supporting distribution through new retail channels. In doing so, Brodie Biomass demonstrates how regionally grounded biochar production in England can combine carbon removal, soil restoration, and rural economic development within a single, scalable model for climate action.
