We mobilize a huge previously untapped human resource, the smallholder farmers of the developing world, to convert currently burned crop waste, a huge, previously ignored source of greenhouse gases, into carbon sequestering biochar.
We train smallholder farmers to biochar, not burn, their crop waste, certify the amount of carbon removed, provide access to global carbon offset markets for the verified carbon sequestration and ensure immediate payment, thereby encouraging others also to biochar, not burn.
The Biochar Life team possesses years of experience working with thousands of farmers across Africa and Asia.
We teach smallholder farmers sustainable agriculture, i.e., how to make biochar from agricultural waste and use it to improve yields and mitigate climate change risk, instead of open-field burning it, which emits tonnes of GHGs, smog precursors and killer PM2.5.
We work hand-in-hand with local communities and independent agencies to verify the production of biochar using the internationally recognized CSI C-sink standard supported by smartphone-enabled tracking and reporting solution. Once CO2 is removed from the atmosphere (i.e., sinked), our team works directly with customers or trading partners who purchase the C-sink certificates to meet their CSR / ESG goals.
Biochar Life’s mission is to support the environmental and wellness needs of the general public via the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reduction of emissions. Our proceeds and future investments will be deployed to improve the lives of rural communities and uplift the underrepresented, which will be accomplished by removing still more carbon dioxide and reducing emissions further. We are committed to gender and income equality by employing fair and equal hiring practices for the once excluded.
March 2025 - Surpassed US $1 million in payments to smallholder farmers, Demonstrating the power of carbon finance to drive real income and impact in rural communities across Africa and Asia.
January 2025 - Launched new kiln tech equipment pilot in Thailand, Introduced mid-tech biochar production to improve efficiency, scale farmer operations, and prepare for new regional buyers.
May 2024: Biochar Life surpasses the 10,000t mark of long-term carbon removal tonnes sold and contracted to buyers.
December 2023: Biochar Life ends the year in 8th place on the CDR.fyi producer leaderboard having removed 6% of the world's carbon.
March 2023: Biochar Life upgrades it’s agreement with Carbonfuture from 10,000 tonne sales to 100,000 tonnes.
January 2023: Biochar Life forms Strategic Partnership with Plant Village and Penn State.
June 2022: Biochar Life earns first profits from 10,000 tonne sales agreement with Carbonfuture.
March 2022: 2022 – Biochar Life works with Ithaka Institute to create the CSI "tropical farmer" accreditation in collaboration with smallholder farmers in the battle against climate change.
February 2022: Warm Heart launches Biochar Life a wholly owned subsidiary as a channel to the carbon markets.
August 2021: Dr. Shafer succeeds in convincing the CSI to establish a “Tropical Farmer” standard (now the Global Artisan C-Sink Standard).
June 2019: Recognizing the failure of biochar certification standards to include the developing world, Dr. Shafer begins effort to change global standards.
April 2015: With State Department and Canadian CFLI funds, Dr. Shafer tests biochar in the field and develops the first business model that involves replication through the creation of “biochar villages”.
February 2014: Dr. Michael Shafer and Evelind Schecter launches the “Stop the Smoke” campaign in northern Thailand to help scale the training operation.
June 2011: Dr. Michael Shafer and Evelind Schecter learns about biochar and develops a plan to train smallholder farmers to make biochar from crop waste Instead of open burning.