How Can Biochar Contribute to Achieving Negative Emission Agriculture?

Hello Tomorrow Turkey

"Improving soil health can help keep the global temperature increase to 1.5°C by the end of the century."* There is a 32 gigaton gap between the carbon emissions that need to be reduced by 2030 to maintain the temperature limit and the carbon emissions planned to be reduced within the current policies. Using better techniques in agricultural production can reduce carbon emissions by 31 gigatons. ** Furthermore, these new-generation methods can even enable farmers to sell carbon credits. Methods that improve soil health are among our most essential tools to reach this point.

Global greenhouse gas emissions and the emissions gap in 2030 according to different scenarios. Source: Emissions Gap Report 2022 by UN.

Diversifying soil nutrient sources, using modern methods for soil aeration beyond physical manipulation, and protecting and diversifying soil microorganisms are the primary methods that can be used to improve soil health. These practices require replacing traditional methods like using synthetic fertilizers and plowing the soil with a tractor with newer methods. Many entrepreneurs working in these areas are striving to deliver technological methods to farmers.

Researchers proceeding with a negative emissions vision are investigating methods that both improve soil and increase carbon retention in the soil. Biochar, a type of charcoal, is among the materials that fulfill both roles. This carbon-rich material has started to be widely applied to the soil today.

Biochar is a carbon-rich solid product produced from the pyrolysis of biomass residues.

The effects of biochar on soil can be summarized as follows:

1. Retention of atmospheric carbon dioxide in soils for a long period,

2. Improvement of soil health and productivity,

3. Increase in water and nutrient retention in the soil,

4. Reduction of nitrogen loss from the soil through leaching,

5. Increase in biological nitrogen retention in acidic soils,

6. Increase in crop yield,

7. Mitigation of environmental pollution through land and water remediation,

8. Restoration of degraded soils,

9. Mitigation of climate change through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon retention in the soil.

Agricultural processes account for 18.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Researchers who want to examine the impact of biochar application in agriculture on greenhouse gas emissions have studied nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide emissions in over two hundred field studies (the three gases that make up the largest volume in emissions). As a result of this investigation, they observed a decrease in nitrous oxide emissions of 18% and methane emissions of 3% from production areas where biochar was applied. As this result shows, biochar alone does not reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but it can reduce carbon emissions when combined with materials such as organic fertilizers or compost.

Biochar production process. Image: Space Bakery

Biochar is among the technologies that can be used in the transition to net-zero-emission agricultural systems. Besides being an excellent carbon retainer, it is a material that can help reduce fertilizer use in the long term as it improves the soil. Additionally, it can enhance the long-term sustainability of our soils and help create positive economic and environmental impacts.

The company BioCharttery, a part of Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Pioneers, is utilizing biochar to increase productivity in agricultural production and restore soils. The technology they developed behaves like a battery that can release organic/inorganic nutrients and electrons when the plant needs them. BioCharttery's porous structure and special surface properties enable

1. the soil to retain more water,

2. facilitate plant growth,

3. allow for easy maintenance of plants,

4. improve food security,

5. enhance soil biodiversity, and

6. improve soil health overall.

BioCharttery's operational mechanism. Image: BioCharttery

Policies are needed to encourage producers to use biochar more in agricultural activities. Dr. Shrestha, who is working on this topic, believes that we need to convince farmers to convert biomass into biochar. One of the first steps we need to take to transition to net-zero-emission agricultural production may be the use of biochar.

There are millions of farmers worldwide, and they mostly farm on small plots of land. To use the methods we discussed here as a climate solution, we need these farmers to change their farming methods over many years. This requires a significant social change, and the economic effects are also considerable. Experts are still discussing how much soil-based solutions can contribute to the climate problem in the long term.

*Quote from Jacqueline McGlade's interview with The Guardian.

**According to calculations made by Downforce Technologies.

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