Biochar: Our Way to a Greener Future 

September 2024

What is Biochar?

Biochar is a valuable carbon-rich material made from plant waste that indigenous cultures have used for thousands of years. It is produced through a controlled process called pyrolysis, where dead plants are burned in a low-oxygen environment. This process captures and stabilizes carbon, transforming it into a porous char that lasts for centuries. When added to soil, biochar enhances the health of forests and fields while sequestering carbon, contributing to community resilience against climate change.

The Challenge

While biochar is great for the environment, producing it at scale is difficult. Pyrolysis at small-scale using simple kilns takes organized collaboration and hard work. Meanwhile, larger, high-tech facilities require significant investment and are expensive to operate and maintain. Current market prices are insufficient to sustain these needed projects. To bridge this funding gap, we must enhance public awareness of biochar’s vital role in fighting climate change and its value in delivering other long-term environmental benefits, such as improved soil health, crop resilience, and reduced wildfire risk.

Our Idea

We propose a solution through place-based eco-credits that support land stewards and local businesses by valuing biochar’s many ecosystem services. Kulshan Carbon Trust will assess and document biochar’s impact on reducing wildfire risks, storing carbon, retaining water, and promoting soil health. We will engage committed sustainability leaders to invest in these local eco-credits, recognizing and quantifying biochar’s contribution to a regenerative relationship with our land. At the same time, KCT will help establish a trustworthy value chain that produces and applies biochar.

What's Next?

To move forward, we need modest funding to pay our people. This support will enable KCT to convene and collaborate with strategic allies to identify best practices and develop implementation plans for biochar projects across our bioregion. Additionally, we will devise eco-credits for the Regen Registry that assign economic value to biochar’s vital ecosystem services to help close the funding gap.

Get Involved

There are many ways you can help us with our mission:

  • Share Your Thoughts: We welcome feedback on our plan.

  • Spread the Word: Help us raise awareness about biochar by sharing our work.

  • Join Our Team: Apply to become a subject matter expert or practitioner.

  • Volunteer: Contribute your skills and time to the Kulshan Carbon Trust.

Donate: Support our cause and receive a tax deduction!