What is Biochar and How Does it Help Fight Climate Change?

If you’re part of a business that's implemented, or is working on, a net zero strategy you’re no doubt reducing emissions through a combination of methods such as: improving energy efficiency, implementing sustainable procurement, and encouraging employees to do their part. You’re also more than likely compensating for residual emissions by investing in some sort of carbon offset.

Not all credits are equal

Carbon removal credits refer to the credits earned from removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, whereas certified emission reductions (CERs) refers to credits earned from reducing emissions. And there are some differences - Carbon removal credits have a more direct impact on reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, rather than just reducing the rate at which it is released. This can be more effective in addressing the root cause of climate change, which is the accumulation of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.

Carbon removal is vitally important because somewhere between 15–40% of the carbon dioxide that we emit in the atmosphere lasts for up to a thousand years, with roughly 10–25% persisting for tens of thousands of years.

There are a number of processes that result in carbon removal and biochar is one solution that has the potential to play a significant role in mitigating the effects of climate change through its ability to remove carbon, while also improving soil fertility and water retention.

What is biochar?

Biochar is a type of charcoal that is produced through a process known as pyrolysis, which involves heating organic material in the absence of oxygen. The resulting biochar is rich in carbon, and has the ability to improve soil fertility. This makes it an attractive solution for farmers, particularly smallholder farmers who make up a large portion of the world's food producers, looking to improve crop yields and support their livelihoods. The use of biochar in agriculture can enhance soil fertility, improve plant growth, and provide crop nutrition. As a result, it improves the overall farming productivity.

In addition to its benefits for agriculture, biochar also offers a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. By sequestering carbon in soil, biochar helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. The carbon-rich biochar acts as a sink, locking it away in the soil for hundreds or even thousands of years. This makes it a promising strategy for carbon removal, and a valuable component of any comprehensive plan for reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change.

The use of biochar-based fertilizers by smallholder farmers helps increase crop yields which generates more food and income for their families. Additionally, replacing chemical fertilizers with biochar-based fertilizer that helps reduce the farmer costs.

Social impact with smallholder farmers

The involvement of smallholder farmers in the production and use of biochar is critical to its success. Smallholder farmers are often the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and face significant barriers to accessing new technologies and practices. By supporting their involvement in biochar initiatives, businesses can help to create economic opportunities for these communities, improve their resilience to the impacts of climate change, and support the sustainable use of natural resources.

Biochar is a versatile and effective solution to the challenge of climate change that offers many benefits. By investing in biochar initiatives and supporting the involvement of smallholder farmers in the production process, businesses can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil fertility, and driving positive change for the environment and communities around the world.?

Whether you're a business owner, an executive, or a sustainability professional, there are many ways you can support and promote biochar programs and help to create a more sustainable and carbon-negative future for us all.

Are you interested in learning how investing biochar can help you achieve your sustainability goals more effectively? Get in touch for a free consultation: [email protected]

About Biochar Life

An impact venture of Warm Heart Worldwide, Biochar Life is a social enterprise working with smallholder farmers to help cool the planet, clean the environment, improve public health and reduce rural?poverty.