Biochar: the black treasure for climate protection
In the current debate about effective measures to combat climate change, biochar is increasingly coming into focus. A recent study by the Hamburg Institute sheds light on the enormous potential of this technology for long-term CO₂ sequestration.
What is biochar?
Biochar is produced by the pyrolysis of biomass in the absence of oxygen. A large proportion of the carbon contained in the biomass is converted into a stable form that can remain in the soil for centuries. This process makes it possible to permanently remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and improve soil fertility at the same time.
Current developments and figures
According to the Hamburg Institute study, the production of biochar increased to 75,000 tons in 2023 - an increase of 41% compared to the previous year. A further increase to over 100,000 tons is estimated for 2024. In addition, 48 new pyrolysis plants were built in 2023, meaning that over 220 plants had been installed by the end of 2024.
Climate protection potential
The long-term storage of carbon through biochar offers considerable potential for reducing greenhouse gases. By incorporating biochar into the soil, the carbon it contains can remain stable for centuries, effectively removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. In addition, biochar improves soil structure, increases water retention capacity and promotes microbial activity, which contributes to more sustainable agriculture.
The current study by the Hamburg Institute underlines the enormous potential of biochar as a tool in the fight against climate change. By combining CO₂ sequestration and soil improvement, biochar offers a promising solution that makes both ecological and economic sense. Increased promotion and integration of this technology into agricultural practices could make a significant contribution to achieving climate targets.
Link to the study: https://www.hamburg-institut.com/
The global potential
The global potential for CO₂ removal by biochar is estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) at around 0.2 to 6.6 gigatons of CO₂ equivalents per year. At least half of this potential is accounted for by the permanent storage of carbon in the form of stable biochar in the soil. The remaining CO₂ reduction results from indirect effects such as the energetic use of the gases and oils produced during production and the reduction of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane emissions (CH₄), which are produced, for example, during fertilization or from organic soils. This broad spectrum of activity makes biochar a promising negative emissions technology in global climate protection.
These figures make it clear that the targeted use of biochar could permanently offset up to 12 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions - a significant contribution to the global mix of measures to achieve climate targets.
