Biomass to Biochar: Summary for Policymakers

This companion document distills the main findings of the full report for decision-makers. It highlights biochar as a practical tool for climate mitigation that can also reduce wildfire risk, improve soil and water quality, and support rural economic development. The summary emphasizes that widespread adoption depends on overcoming technical, economic, and regulatory barriers, including inconsistent product standards, high production costs, and air-quality permitting frameworks that currently favor open burning over cleaner biochar systems. It outlines priority actions for policymakers: invest in coordinated research, support pilot projects and market development, strengthen workforce and business infrastructure, and modernize policies to reward carbon storage and other ecosystem services. Strategic public investment, paired with private capital, is presented as essential to unlocking biochar’s full environmental and economic potential