Roadmap for scaling biochar to cut emissions, improve forest and soil health, and strengthen rural economies.
This comprehensive technical report outlines how converting waste biomass into biochar could address climate change while improving forest health, soil productivity, and rural economies. Drawing on a multi-year workshop with producers, scientists, and engineers, the authors identify biochar’s potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower wildfire risk, and restore degraded lands. The report examines five production pathways (from place-based to centralized systems), along with agricultural and municipal compost applications. It also details key barriers, including high production costs, regulatory challenges, and limited market infrastructure. The authors recommend coordinated long-term research, near-term market development, business support, and collaborative policy reforms, including carbon markets and ecosystem service incentives, to scale biochar responsibly and maximize its climate and environmental benefits
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Authors
Amonette, J., Archuleta, J., Fuchs, K., Hills, K., Yorgey, G., Flora, G., Hunt, J., Han, H.-S., Jobson, T., Miles, T., Page-Dumroese, D., Thompson, S., Trippe, K., Wilson, K., Baltar, R., Carloni, K., Christoforou, C., Collins, D., Dooley, J., Drinkard, D., Garcia-Perez, M., Glass, G., Hoffman-Krull, K., Kauffman, M., Laird, D., Lei, W., Miedema, J., O'Donnell, J., Kiser, A., Pecha, B., Rodriguez-Franco, C., Scheve, C., Sprenger, C., and Wheeler, E.
Related Products
- Biomass to Biochar: Summary for Policymakers
- The Scaling Biochar Forum
- Integrated Biochar Research: A Roadmap
Related Project
Suggested Citation
Amonette, J.E., J.G. Archuleta, M.R. Fuchs, K.M. Hills, G.G. Yorgey, G. Flora, J. Hunt, H.-S. Han, B.T. Jobson, T.R. Miles, D.S. Page-Dumroese, S. Thompson, K.M. Trippe, K. Wilson, R. Baltar, K. Carloni, C. Christoforou, D.P. Collins, J. Dooley, D. Drinkard, M. Garcia-Pérez, G. Glass, K. Hoffman-Krull, M. Kauffman, D.A. Laird, W. Lei, J. Miedema, J. O’Donnell, A. Kiser, B. Pecha, C. Rodriguez-Franco, G.E. Scheve, C. Sprenger, B. Springsteen, and E. Wheeler. 2021. Biomass to Biochar: Maximizing the Carbon Value. Report by Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University, Pullman WA.
Year Published
2021
Area of Focus
Agricultural Practices, Climate & Environment, and Value from Waste
Topic
Climate Change