OCTOBER 11, 2023 – New groundbreaking research has just been published that quantifies biochar’s role in reducing future global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The research has been published in the peer-reviewed journal Biochar and commissioned by the International Biochar Initiative (IBI). The research quantifies biochar’s carbon dioxide removal (CDR) potential across 155 countries with the results showing that biochar can potentially remove up to 6% of global emissions annually – the equivalent of 3 billion tonnes of CO2 or the total emissions of 803 coal-fired power plants. In addition, the research concludes that biochar has the minimum CDR potential of 10% in over 25 countries concentrated in Africa, South America and Eastern Europe.
Biochar originated more than 2,500 years ago and can be traced back to the Amazon Basin in South America where indigenous communities used a technique called “terra preta” to create fertile soils in otherwise nutrient-poor areas. It is produced by heating organic materials, such as wood, crop residues, or animal manure, in a low-oxygen environment. This process converts the organic materials into a locked form of carbon that would otherwise release emissions in decomposition. Biochar is known for its high carbon content and porous structure, which allows it to retain water and nutrients in the soil making it a leading circular solution to combat climate change.
Earthcare’s patented gasification technology provides a circular solution for organic waste management which manufactures high volumes of quality biochar the various beneficial uses. Earthcare’s technology is currently being employed in several locations throughout the world processing a number of organic feedstocks. Earthcare’s two-module facility in Bethel Township, PA is nearing completion and will process both municipal biosolids and egg layer feedstocks.
A link to the research can be found at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42773-023-00258-2.
IBI is a global platform for fostering stakeholder collaboration, good industry practices, and environmental and ethical standards to support biochar systems that are safe and economically viable. With over 650 members based in 63 countries, IBI members include carbon markets, biochar producers, biochar users, technology innovators, researchers, and other non-profit organizations. Biochar is the first journal specifically focusing on biochar and convers multidisciplinary subjects of agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It’s latest issue can be found at https://link.springer.com/journal/42773/volumes-and-issues/5-1.
