A new study suggests that biochar could significantly impact long-term carbon storage. Researchers argue flawed models have overshadowed its potential, urging policymakers to consider it a key climate solution.
A recent study reveals that biochar — a carbon-rich material produced from pyrolyzed biomass — holds much greater potential for long-term carbon storage than previously believed. This new understanding could significantly reshape global and European climate policy.
Biochar has been acknowledged for its ability to enhance soil health and sequester carbon, but its use as a permanent CO₂ removal solution has often been underestimated.
The latest research, led by Hamed Sanei, a professor and director of the Lithospheric Organic Carbon (LOC) laboratory at Aarhus University, corrects these misconceptions and positions biochar as a potent tool for climate mitigation.
“Our study shows that biochar is not just a promising technology — it is an essential one,” Sanei said in a news release.
Flaws in Existing Models
The study, published in in the journal Biochar, critiques existing carbon modeling frameworks used by the IPCC and European policymakers for undervaluing biochar’s stability and long-term carbon storage capacity. These flawed models have led to biochar being sidelined in climate discussions.
“The previous models underestimated the stability of carbon stored in biochar. By correcting these inaccuracies, we can elevate biochar to its rightful place as a highly reliable carbon storage option,” Sanei added.
Long-Term Stability Confirmed
Building on previous research by Sanei and Henrik Ingermann Petersen, a professor in carbon storage in the Department of Geo-Energy and Storage at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), among others, the new study underscores that biochar can store carbon for millions of years.
The past models didn’t accurately account for this extensive stability, leading to biochar’s potential being overlooked in carbon removal strategies.
“Biochar has been a missed opportunity in the fight against climate change,” Petersen, who’s also a co-author of this study, said in the news release. “Our work corrects the narrative and highlights biochar’s exceptional capacity for long-term carbon storage. It’s a ready-to-implement technology that can make an immediate impact.”
Potential Impact on Climate Policies
Supported by Innovation Fund Denmark and the EU’s NextGenerationEU program, the research offers a revised perspective on biochar, establishing it as an effective, scalable and permanent carbon storage technology.
This shift in narrative could have profound implications for policies and climate initiatives around the world.
“This study provides policymakers and stakeholders with the tools they need to integrate biochar into carbon markets with confidence,” added co-author Ondrej Masek, the Personal Chair of Net Zero Emission Technologies at the University of Edinburgh.
Denmark, a pioneer in innovative climate strategies, stands particularly to gain from this study. With biochar identified as a crucial element in Denmark’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the findings lend strong support to these efforts.
A Call to Action
The authors hope their findings will drive immediate action among policymakers, industry leaders and researchers. With accurate models now available, biochar and slow pyrolysis can be recognized as trusted solutions for significant carbon dioxide removal.
“This isn’t just a story about biochar — it’s about the future of carbon removal,” added co-author David Chiaramonti, a professor in the Department of Energy at Politecnico di Torino. “By improving the accuracy of our models, we unlock the potential of technologies like biochar that are ready to scale today.”