Using biochar to remove carbon and enrich soils
Context
As trees grow, they store carbon from the atmosphere in their biomass, through photosynthesis. When this biomass is burned in the absence of oxygen (a process called pyrolysis), one of the byproducts is a stable, carbon-rich residue called biochar.
When biomass decomposes naturally, carbon and methane are emitted into the atmosphere. Since biochar is very stable, the production of biochar using waste biomass – such as waste timber from commercial forests – is a more permanent method of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and storing the carbon on long-term timescales, than allowing the biomass to decompose naturally. Biochar is also great because it avoids fossil fuel emissions if energy is produced after burning the biomass and it can trigger changes in GHG emissions after being added to the soil from increased plant growth, lower non-CO₂ GHG emissions from soil and reduce mineralization of soil organic matter.
Mixing the produced biochar into soil can therefore act to permanently lock away its stored carbon, and studies have also found that it can support the fertility and productivity of the soil.
Projects
Through our supported biochar projects, you can fund the removal of carbon dioxide through biochar generation from waste biomass. Using biochar for carbon dioxide removal is an emerging field, and new biochar projects are being developed all the while – so through Ecologi, you can support high-quality biochar projects around the world: from Scotland to Scandinavia.
Verification
The units of carbon removal from the biochar projects we support are third-party verified tonnes, measured according to the Puro Biochar Methodology.
When our community purchases tonnes of verified carbon removal through biochar, Ecologi retires CO2 Removal Certificates (CORCs) on the Puro Registry. Retirement evidence can be found on our Public Impact Ledger.
Climate Solution #15
Biochar production
Biochar is a carbon-rich, highly stable soil amendment produced as a by-product of pyrolysis, which generates energy from biomass in the absence of oxygen. When biomass decomposes, carbon and methane escape into the atmosphere. Biochar retains most of the carbon. If we bury it, that carbon can be held for centuries in the soil.
This process can produce energy, improve soils, and store carbon. This solution provides an alternative to disposing of unused biomass through burning or decomposition.
