{"id":68,"date":"2025-10-23T13:49:35","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T13:49:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zerocarbono.org\/?page_id=68"},"modified":"2025-10-25T23:39:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T23:39:19","slug":"creditos-biochar","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/zerocarbono.org\/en\/creditos-biochar\/","title":{"rendered":"Biochar Credits"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n

What is biochar ?<\/h2>\r\n

\r\n Biochar (or \"biocoal\") is a charcoal produced by the thermal decomposition of biomass (agricultural, forestry, organic waste) in a low-oxygen environment, a process known as pyrolysis.\r\n <\/p>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n \u26a1<\/span>\r\n It is not ash or traditional coal<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \ud83c\udf3f<\/span>\r\n Stable, porous, carbon-rich material<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \ud83d\udd04<\/span>\r\n Its production prevents
Its production prevents\nbiomass from decomposing
and emitting CO\u2082 or methane.<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n
\r\n

Main benefits:<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\u23f3<\/div>\r\n

1. Long-term carbon sequestration<\/h3>\r\n
    \r\n
  • The carbon in biochar is stable for hundreds to thousands of years.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n
  • 1 ton of biochar<\/strong> can store the equivalent of ~3 tons of CO\u2082<\/strong><\/li>\r\n
  • Basis for certified carbon credits<\/strong> (Verra VCS or Puro.earth)<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
    \r\n
    \ud83c\udf31<\/div>\r\n

    2. Improvement of agricultural soils<\/h3>\r\n
      \r\n
    • Increases fertility:<\/strong> Retains nutrients and reduces leaching.<\/li>\r\n
    • Improves water retention<\/strong> Ideal for sandy or degraded soils<\/li>\r\n
    • Regulates pH<\/strong> in acidic soils.<\/li>\r\n
    • Promotes beneficial microbiome<\/strong> Fungi and bacteria that improve soil health.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
      \r\n
      \ud83d\uddd1\ufe0f<\/div>\r\n

      3. Waste management<\/h3>\r\n
        \r\n
      • Transforms waste (rice husks, prunings, manure)<\/strong> into valuable resources.<\/li>\r\n
      • Reduce pollution<\/strong> Avoid burning waste in the open air.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
        \r\n
        \u26a1<\/div>\r\n

        4. Renewable energy<\/h3>\r\n
          \r\n
        • During pyrolysis bioenergy (gas or heat)<\/strong><\/li>\r\n
        • is generated that can be used in the process or sold.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
          \r\n
          \ud83d\udcc9<\/div>\r\n

          5. Reduction of nitrous oxide (N\u2082O) emissions<\/h3>\r\n
            \r\n
          • Biochar in soils reduces N\u2082O emissions<\/strong><\/li>\r\n
          • a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent<\/strong> than CO\u2082<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n
            \r\n

            Practical applications<\/h2>\r\n
            \r\n
            \r\n
            \ud83d\ude9c<\/div>\r\n

            Regenerative agriculture<\/h4>\r\n

            Mixed with compost or applied directly to the soil.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

            \r\n
            \ud83d\udca7<\/div>\r\n

            Water treatment<\/h4>\r\n

            Filters contaminants due to its high porosity.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

            \r\n
            \ud83d\udc04<\/div>\r\n

            Animal feed<\/h4>\r\n

            Improves digestion and reduces methane in livestock.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n

            \r\n
            \r\n

            Biochar Credits<\/h2>\r\n

            \r\n Biochar credit is a financial instrument that represents the capture and permanent storage of 1 tonne of CO\u2082 equivalent ( CO\u2082eq ) through the production and application of biochar to soils or other uses. This credit certifies that the carbon derived from waste biomass has been converted into a stable form, preventing its release into the atmosphere.\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n

            \r\n

            How is it generated?<\/h3>\r\n
            \r\n
            \r\n
            1<\/div>\r\n
            \r\n

            Biochar production<\/h4>\r\n
              \r\n
            • Raw material: Use of agricultural, forestry or organic waste ( e.g. rice husks, prunings, manure).<\/li>\r\n
            • Pyrolysis: Heating biomass at high temperatures (400-700\u00b0C) in the absence of oxygen, transforming it into biochar .\r\n<\/li>\r\n
            • Storage: Biochar is applied to soils ( e.g. , agriculture) or integrated into building materials, ensuring its stability for hundreds to thousands of years.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
              \r\n
              2<\/div>\r\n
              \r\n

              Calculation of sequestered carbon:<\/h4>\r\n
                \r\n
              • biochar is quantified versus the emissions avoided by proper waste management.\r\n<\/li>\r\n
              • Methods: Laboratory analysis ( e.g. , organic carbon content) and models supported by international standards.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n
                \r\n

                Certification bodies and standards<\/h3>\r\n
                \r\n
                \r\n

                Puro.earth<\/h4>\r\n

                Leader in biochar certification ( Carbon standard Removal Certificate ).<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

                \r\n

                Verra (VCS)<\/h4>\r\n

                VM0044 Methodology for biomass pyrolysis.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

                \r\n

                Gold Standard<\/h4>\r\n

                frameworks under development .<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n

                \r\n

                Key benefits<\/h3>\r\n
                \r\n
                \r\n
                \ud83d\udd70\ufe0f<\/div>\r\n
                \r\n

                High permanence<\/h4>\r\n

                Carbon is stored for thousands of years (vs. decades in forestry projects).<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

                \r\n
                \ud83d\udd04<\/div>\r\n
                \r\n

                Circularity<\/h4>\r\n

                Transforms waste into resources ( e.g. , avoids burning biomass).<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

                \r\n
                \ud83c\udf0d<\/div>\r\n
                \r\n

                Co-benefits<\/h4>\r\n

                Soil improvement: Fertility, water and nutrient retention.\nN\u2082O Reduction: Reduces nitrous oxide emissions in agriculture.\nRenewable energy: Pyrolysis generates usable heat\/bioenergy.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n

                \r\n
                \r\n

                Market prices<\/h2>\r\n
                \r\n
                \r\n $100 - $280 USD<\/span>\r\n per ton of CO\u2082eq (premium for permanence and additional benefits).<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
                \r\n

                Factors that influence:<\/h4>\r\n
                  \r\n
                • Certifier<\/strong> ( e.g. Puro earth usually has higher prices).<\/li>\r\n
                • Location and type of project.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n
                • Corporate demand<\/strong> for high-quality compensation.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n
                  \r\n

                  Typical buyers<\/h3>\r\n
                  \r\n
                  \r\n
                  \ud83c\udfe2<\/div>\r\n

                  Companies with Net Zero<\/h4>\r\n

                  goals seeking permanent removals (not just reductions).<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

                  \r\n
                  \ud83c\udf3e<\/div>\r\n

                  Agri-food industries<\/h4>\r\n

                  ( insetting in supply chains).<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

                  \r\n
                  \ud83d\udcc8<\/div>\r\n

                  ESG<\/h4>\r\n

                  investment funds.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n

                  \r\n
                  \r\n

                  Challenges<\/h3>\r\n
                  \r\n
                  \r\n \ud83d\udd27<\/span>\r\n Technology<\/strong> Initial costs of pyrolysis equipment.<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
                  \r\n \ud83d\udce6<\/span>\r\n Scalability<\/strong> Logistics for the collection of residual biomass.<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
                  \r\n \u2696\ufe0f<\/span>\r\n Regulatory frameworks<\/strong> Local regulations on waste and carbon management.<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
                  \r\n

                  Future trends<\/h3>\r\n
                  \r\n
                  \r\n

                  \ud83d\ude9c Integration with<\/h4>\r\n

                  regenerative agriculture.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

                  \r\n

                  \ud83c\udfd7\ufe0f Use in construction<\/h4>\r\n

                  ( e.g. biochar in low carbon cements).<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

                  \r\n

                  \ud83d\udcc8 Growing demand<\/h4>\r\n

                  from companies with carbon commitments removal .<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n

                  \r\n

                  Practical example<\/h2>\r\n
                  \r\n
                  \r\n
                  \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf3<\/div>\r\n
                  \r\n

                  Project in India<\/h4>\r\n

                  Using rice husks to produce biochar .<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

                  \r\n
                  \r\n 1 \u2248 3<\/span>\r\n 1 ton of biochar \u2248 3 tons of CO\u2082eq captured.<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
                  \r\n \ud83d\udcbb<\/span>\r\n Credits are sold to technology companies ( e.g. Microsoft) to meet carbon targets. removal .<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
                  \r\n \ud83d\udcc8<\/span>\r\n Additional impact: Improved yield in wheat crops and reduced pollution from burning residues.<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n