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Image of biochar. Key risk for biochar carbon removal

Key risk for biochar carbon removal

  • Dr Bojana Bajzelj
    VP Carbon Removal
  • Dr Phil Platts
    VP, Geospatial and Earth Observation
  • Dr Spencer Meyer
    Chief Ratings Officer

  • Despite biochar’s potential benefits,  uncertainties around permanence, carbon accounting, and additionality lead to smaller deal sizes than in some other carbon removal technologies

  • The inherent durability of biochar is not a barrier to investment, but it remains challenging to determine the stable fraction of biochar and ensure it is applied to soil.

  • The necessity of carbon finance for biochar projects varies globally; some projects rely heavily on carbon credits while others do not, making project-level assessment crucial.

  • Accurate carbon accounting is essential, and feedstock sustainability, counterfactual feedstock decay rates, and potential methane emissions must be considered.

Contents

  • Permanence

  • Additionality

  • Carbon accounting

  • Maximising biochar's potential: balancing risks and benefits

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