South SFV Today

A recent study by Stanford researchers has identified a significant issue in the evaluation of biochar, a material used for carbon dioxide removal. The study, published in Environmental Research Letters, suggests that current methods may underestimate biochar's environmental benefits and proposes a more comprehensive framework for assessment.

The research was supported by the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and Stanford’s Sustainability Accelerator. It challenges existing durability metrics for biochar and emphasizes the need for better data to evaluate its effectiveness. This work is part of an initiative to enhance carbon removal efforts globally.

Kate Maher, co-author of the study and professor at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, highlighted the lack of useful data on biochar's behavior. "We realized that even though biochar is really important component of the carbon removals market, there is very little useful data on how it actually behaves," she said. "It is important for policymakers and buyers to be aware of this."

Biochar is produced by burning organic matter slowly with minimal oxygen, allowing it to store carbon in soil over long periods. Its durability is crucial in determining its effectiveness as a climate solution. However, traditional assessments focus primarily on hydrogen-to-carbon ratios, which may not account for factors like soil type and environmental conditions.

Study co-author A.J. Ringsby noted that more accurate assessments are needed to enhance biochar's value in the market: "Biochar has immense potential for carbon dioxide removal, but it will be viewed as less valuable by the market until we can confidently establish and predict its long-term durability."

The study also points out that current standards might undervalue many biochar projects' carbon storage potential due to reliance on laboratory experiments rather than real-world conditions. This could lead to economic and policy challenges amid growing demand for carbon offsets.

To improve evaluations, researchers propose a two-step process: estimating biochar’s potential before deployment followed by field measurements. This approach aims to unlock additional project value and enhance credibility in carbon markets.

Ringsby emphasized the importance of coordinated global field trials: “Unlike most technologies in the market, biochar is shovel-ready and delivering carbon removal today,” he said. “To unlock its full potential, we need better data, stronger standards, and to work together as a community to design the right experiments.”

The study received funding from both Stanford University programs and the National Science Foundation.