Biochar is a powerful carbon removal solution that transforms organic waste into a stable, carbon-rich material. By converting biomass through pyrolysis—heating in a low-oxygen environment—biochar locks carbon away for hundreds to thousands of years, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere as CO₂. At the same time, it improves soil health, reduces waste, and creates economic opportunities, making it a highly versatile climate solution.

How does biochar carbon removal work?

The biochar production process is simple but highly efficient:

Biomass collection: Agricultural and forestry residues, food waste, and other organic materials are gathered, preventing methane emissions from decomposing.
Pyrolysis: The biomass is heated in an oxygen-limited environment, producing biochar and bio-oils while minimizing CO₂ release.
Carbon stabilisation: The resulting biochar is highly resistant to decomposition, keeping carbon locked in a stable form for centuries.
Soil application: When added to soil, biochar enhances fertility while acting as a long-term carbon sink.

What are the co-benefits of biochar beyond carbon removal?

Beyond its carbon removal potential, biochar delivers multiple environmental and economic benefits:

Improving soil health: Biochar enhances soil structure, increases water retention, and improves nutrient availability, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Reducing waste: It provides a sustainable alternative to burning or landfilling organic waste, cutting methane emissions and air pollution.
Boosting water conservation: Biochar’s porous structure helps soil retain moisture, reducing irrigation needs and improving drought resilience.
Creating economic opportunities: Farmers and rural communities benefit from increased crop yields, lower input costs, and access to carbon credit markets.

Meet the biochar projects

Biochar is being implemented across different regions to tackle both climate and agricultural challenges. Opna works with leading project developers who are scaling biochar in the global south.

Carboneers (Ghana & India) – Carboneers partners with local farmers to transform agricultural waste into biochar, reducing open-air burning while enriching soils. Their work helps sequester CO₂ while improving livelihoods in rural communities.
Bio-Logical (Kenya) – Bio-Logical’s circular economy model transforms waste from large agribusinesses in the Mt Kenya region into biochar, which is then incorporated into bio-fertiliser and distributed to smallholder farmers, restoring degraded soil and building communities’ climate resilience.
Varaha (India) – Varaha’s biochar project in India converts rice straw and other crop residues into biochar, offering farmers an alternative to burning while restoring soil health.

Scaling biochar for a net-zero future

Biochar presents a scalable, nature-based carbon removal solution that aligns with circular economy principles. As technology advances and production expands, biochar has the potential to become a major contributor to global climate goals.

With projects making an impact across the global south, biochar is proving its value in diverse landscapes. Whether enhancing soil health, reducing emissions, or creating economic opportunities, this innovative approach offers a tangible way to remove carbon while supporting sustainable development.

Biochar as part of your climate strategy

For companies looking to invest in high-impact, nature-based carbon removal, biochar is a highly attractive solution. By supporting high-integrity projects, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint while driving positive environmental and social impact.

At Opna, we connect businesses with trusted biochar projects that align with their sustainability goals. Get in touch at hi@opna.earth to learn how biochar can be part of your net-zero strategy.