What is Biochar’s potential?

What is Biochar?

• Definition: Biochar is a carbon -rich, stable form of charcoal produced via pyrolysis (Thermal decomposition in the absence of oxygen) of organic material such as agricultural waste and municipal fixed waste.
• Nature: Porous, black solid, with a high carbon content (up to 80-90%) and alkaline pH.
• Stability: Stays in the ground for 100 – 1,000 yearswhich makes it one Long -term carbon zinc.

Relevance: GS 3 (Energy Security, Science)

What are the by -products of Biachar production?

• Important by -products:
  • SYNGAS (Synthesegas): Mixture of CO, Heper, Ch₄-Energierijk and flammable.
  • Bio-oil: Liquid fuel with energy density similar to crude oil.
• Quantitative estimates (India):
  • Syngas: 20-30 million tons/year.
  • Bio-oil: 24-40 million tons/year.
  • Together this can Generate 8–13 TWH of electricity (~ 0.5-0.7% of the annual generation of India).
• Fossil fuel compensation:
  • Coal: Replaces 0.4-0.7 million tons/year.
  • Diesel/Kerosene: Offsets 12-19 million tons (~ 8% of production).
  • Emission reduction: Cutbacks> 2% of the emissions -based emissions.

How can these by -products generate electricity and fuels?

• Electricity:
  • Syngas can be used in guest turbines or internal combustion engines to produce electricity on a small or grid scale.
  • Co-Firing Syngas with natural gas or coal is feasible in hybrid plants.
• Fuels:
  • Bio-oil Can be refined in transport fuelsused in industrial boilersOr mixed with fossil fuels.
  • Helps to reduce the import of diesel/kerosene, which helps energy security.
• Circular economy: Connects agricultural and organic waste Energy products with added valueReducing the landfill.

How can Biochar help the construction sector?

• Applications in construction:
  • Added to cement and concrete to:
    • Improve thermal insulation.
    • Improve sustainability and water retention.
    • Reduce carbon footprint of concrete (~ 8% of the global CO₂ emissions).
• Eco bricks:
  • Biochar can be used in compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs) Or dismissed bricks to suppress carbon.
• Carbon-negative building materials:
  • Recording bioachar creates materials that Save more carbon than broadcast During production.

Why is Biochar under -represented in carbon credit systems?

• Lack of recognition:
  • Not formally recognized as a verifiable CO₂ removal technology in many carbon markets.
  • Absence of standardized protocols for MRV (monitoring, reporting, verification).
• Technical complexity:
  • Varying properties due to different raw material and pyrolysis conditions make quantification difficult.
• Freagmented policy landscape:
  • No integrated policy framework that connects agriculture, waste management, energy and climate sectors.
• Limitations of the business model:
  • High costs in advance.
  • Lack of viable Producer -Aser -TIRES and private financing.
  • Limited awareness among investors, farmers and startups.

How should a large -scale acceptance of Biachar be switched on?

Policy and regulatory measures:

• Recognizing Biochar in the carbon market of India (2026):
  • Define Biochar as a Carbon removal route.
  • Problem carbon credits For its application in agriculture, waste-to-energy and construction.
• Integrate into existing schedules:
  • National Bio-Energy Mission, Crop Residu Management schedules and state climate action plans.

Research and innovation:

• Invest in R&D:
  • Create region -specific raw material standards.
  • To develop Cheap pyrolysis units Suitable for Indian villages.
  • Standardize MRV -Frameworks For Biochar Lifecycle Carbon Capture.

National implementation & job creation:

• Village scale Biochar units:
  • Potential to create 5.2 Lakh rural jobs.
  • Involve Panchayats, FPOs and SHGs As production and distribution nodes.

Market development:

• Consciousness campaigns for:
  • Farmers (soil health and yield benefits).
  • Startups and investors (carbon credits, fuel substitutes).
• Promote public -private partnerships (PPPs) and CO2 finance platforms.

Agriculturalo benefits:

• Raised soil fertility By improving the preservation of water/nutrients.
• Reduces the needs of fertilizers 10–20%.
• Improves the yield of the crop 10-25%.

Related news and context

• Indian Carbon Market (ICM):
  • Launch planned for 2026With a focus on Carbon removal credits In addition to avoidance credits.
• National Bio-Energy Program (2021-26):
  • Stimulating Biomass and waste-to-energy projectsIncluding Biochar can be included.
• International reference:
  • IPCC AR6 (2022) provides an overview of the bioachar under the “low risk” carbon dioxide removal (CDR) options.
  • EU Biochar certification Standards (EBC) adopted in 15+ countries.
• Mission Life and SDG 13 (Climate Action):
  • Biachar corresponds to the commitments of India under Parisian Agreement And Life Lifestyle -Campaigns.

Conclusion: why Biochar matters

• Multi -sectoral profits:
  • Climate mitigation, waste management, ground regeneration, energy security, job creation and construction innovation.
• Science supported, scalable, including:
  • Biochar can contribute to right enablers Net zero 2070 Goals and Decentralized green growth.