Biochar Can Be Carbon-Negative

International Biochar Initiative I B I Fossil fuels are carbon-positive – they add more carbon to the air. Ordinary biomass fuels are carbon neutral – the carbon captured in the biomass by photosynthesis would have eventually returned to the atmosphere... More

International Biochar Initiative I B I Fossil fuels are carbon-positive – they add more carbon to the air. Ordinary biomass fuels are carbon neutral – the carbon captured in the biomass by photosynthesis would have eventually returned to the atmosphere through natural processes – burning plants for energy just speeds it up. Biochar systems can be carbon negative because they retain a substantial portion of the carbon fixed by plants. The result is a net reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as illustrated below. How Can Biochar Be Carbon-Negative? Biochar can sequester or store carbon in the soil for hundreds and even thousands of years. Biochar also improves soil fertility, stimulating plant growth, which then consumes more CO2 in a feedback effect. And the energy generated as part of biochar production can displace carbonpositive energy from fossil fuels. Additional effects from adding biochar to soil can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon stora Less