Biochar

Biochar is emerging as a critical technology in the global effort to combat climate change, especially in carbon capture and removal strategies. As India prepares to launch its carbon market in 2026, biochar is expected to play a significant role in helping to meet carbon removal targets.

What is Biochar?

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced from agricultural residue or organic municipal waste through a process known as pyrolysis. This involves heating the biomass in the absence of oxygen at temperatures ranging from 400°C to 600°C in a kiln-like structure. The resulting biochar is a stable form of carbon that can be stored in the soil for extended periods, providing a long-term carbon sink.

Key Features of Biochar:

• Production Source: Made from agricultural waste, organic municipal solid waste, and sometimes wood or forest residues.

• Stable Carbon: Biochar is highly stable and can sequester carbon in the soil for 100-1,000 years. This makes it an effective tool for long-term carbon storage.

• Sustainability: Biochar offers a sustainable waste management solution, converting organic waste into a valuable product with environmental benefits.

Advantages of Biochar

1. Carbon Sequestration: Biochar’s ability to hold carbon for centuries makes it one of the most effective long-term strategies for carbon removal. This can significantly offset CO₂ emissions.

2. Soil Health: By enhancing soil organic carbon, biochar improves soil fertility, which is crucial for agriculture, especially in degraded soils.

3. Low Carbon Footprint: Biochar is a low-carbon technology compared to other industrial methods of carbon removal, making it suitable for eco-conscious sectors.

Potential Applications of Biochar

1. Agriculture:

   • Soil Improvement: Biochar can improve water retention in semi-dry and nutrient-depleted soils, which is crucial for dryland farming.

   • Reduction in Greenhouse Gases: It can reduce nitrous oxide emissions (a potent greenhouse gas) by 30-50% in agricultural soils.

   • Restoration of Degraded Soils: Biochar helps restore degraded soils by enriching the soil organic matter, improving crop yields.

2. Industries:

   • Carbon Capture: Modified biochar can be used in carbon capture applications to adsorb CO₂ from industrial exhaust gases. However, its efficiency in this application is currently lower than other conventional methods.

   • Sustainable Manufacturing: By incorporating biochar into industrial processes, industries can reduce their carbon footprint.

3. Construction Sector:

   • Building Materials: Biochar can be explored as a low-carbon alternative to traditional construction materials, acting as a carbon sink in building materials like concrete or bricks.

   • Stable Carbon Storage: Incorporating biochar into construction materials helps lock carbon away for long periods, contributing to the overall reduction of carbon emissions in the sector.

4. Wastewater Treatment:

   • Pollution Reduction: Biochar has been found to be highly effective in water filtration, particularly for reducing contaminants such as heavy metals and organic pollutants in wastewater. This makes it an affordable and efficient solution for wastewater treatment plants.

Biochar in India's Carbon Market

As India aims to launch its carbon market in 2026, biochar could play a crucial role in carbon offset programs. By creating a system where industries and sectors that produce carbon can buy carbon credits for storing carbon through methods like biochar, it aligns with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Biochar’s Role: Biochar, as a carbon-negative technology, could generate carbon credits by sequestering CO₂ in the soil for centuries. This would not only incentivize the use of biochar but also promote waste management and sustainable farming practices.

• Agricultural Incentives: Farmers could adopt biochar as a method for soil enrichment and carbon sequestration, receiving financial rewards through the carbon market for their efforts to offset emissions.

Challenges for Biochar in Carbon Markets

While biochar offers significant potential, its use as a CO₂ removal technology is still evolving. Some of the challenges it faces include:

• Efficiency: Biochar’s carbon removal efficiency, especially in industrial applications, is lower compared to more established methods of carbon capture.

• Scalability: To become a major player in carbon markets, the production of biochar needs to be scaled up significantly, which may require large investments in infrastructure and technology.

• Regulatory Framework: For biochar to be effectively integrated into India’s carbon market, a robust regulatory framework needs to be established, addressing certification, verification, and the methodology for measuring biochar’s impact on carbon removal.

Conclusion

Biochar presents a promising solution for carbon removal, waste management, and soil health. As India prepares to launch its carbon market in 2026, the role of biochar could become pivotal in helping industries and sectors offset their carbon emissions while contributing to sustainable agriculture and carbon-neutral construction.