In the second half of 2024, Biochar Life undertook a significant challenge in Kenya and Malawi, successfully generating 10,000 tonnes of CO2 removal in under six months. This achievement was made possible through the team's collaboration, which included 98 verifiers and 8 coordinators, and partnerships with over 1600 smallholder farmers.
This team effort not only demonstrates the scalability of our distributed carbon removal operations but also highlights our commitment to environmental sustainability despite challenging weather conditions and logistical obstacles.
In this blog post, we outline what made this possible and how we ensured robust Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV), of the entire process.
First let’s take a look at how we were able to achieve this significant production milestone, by implementing several strategic actions:
Scaling Operations: We significantly scaled up our operations to meet the ambitious target. This included:
Utilising Agricultural Waste: Approximately 26,000 tonnes of maize stalk, typically burned in open fields, were converted into biochar. This conversion process involved:
Robust Support Systems: Essential for the smooth running of increased operations, these systems include:
In 2024, Biochar Life embraced new regulatory requirements by adopting the stricter requirements introduced by Carbon Standards International (CSI). While CSI’s updated requirements included requiring multiple photographs for each biochar load produced, we opted to take our compliance further.
To not only meet but exceed these new standards, Biochar Life has implemented several advanced measures:
Advanced Moisture Tracking: We voluntarily introduced moisture readings for biomass used in our production process. Monitoring moisture content ensures the biomass is in optimal condition for pyrolysis, reducing the risk of incomplete carbonisation which can lead to methane emissions.
Comprehensive Temperature Monitoring: Beyond merely recording temperatures, we actively manage the thermal conditions during pyrolysis to ensure they stay within ideal ranges, maximising the carbon content of the biochar and minimising the release of methane and other volatile organic compounds.
Detailed Electrical Conductivity Assessments: By capturing EC readings, we ensure quality biochar is produced, which helps determine its suitability for specific agricultural uses.
Random Onsite Audits: In addition to our official third-party audits, we conduct random onsite audits to ensure that all procedures are meticulously followed. These surprise inspections help maintain high standards of operational integrity and compliance.
These steps are not just about adhering to regulations — they signify our leadership in sustainability and a pledge to deliver the most effective solutions in the fight against climate change.
To access the most recent CSI Artisan Guidelines: CLICK HERE
Recent discussions, including those highlighted in Supercritical’s report, have raised concerns about the MRV capabilities of artisanal biochar projects. It’s crucial to clarify that Biochar Life’s approach effectively addresses these concerns, even with smallholder farmers using simpler, more traditional biochar production methods:
Independent Monitors and Trainers: We hire and train independent verifiers who visit artisan producers’ sites every time they make biochar, ensuring thorough and unbiased monitoring.
Enhanced Monitoring: We have incorporated additional requirements for our projects to further mitigate risks, including multiple stages of verification — both on the ground by local verifiers and through a centralised certification team.
Certified Distributed dMRV Platform: Our teams are equipped with The Biochar App by PlantVillage, a dMRV platform certified by CSI, that ensures data accuracy and integrity across all sites. We are also working with Plant Village to introduce machine learning and image recognition capabilities that will help streamline the verification process.
Data Transparency and Collaboration: We are committed to transparency and actively offer to share our MRV data with organisations like Supercritical, aiming to foster a better understanding and acceptance of the rigorousness of our MRV practices.
Industry-Wide Standardisation Efforts: We participate in discussions to establish universally accepted MRV standards for biochar, believing that collaborative efforts can lead to practices that enhance trust and credibility across the industry.
During this production run, our commitment to rigorous data verification was unmistakable. A team of 106 trained verifiers and coordinators was physically present on-site to collect crucial data points including photographs, moisture readings, temperature, and Electrical Conductivity (EC) readings. In total, we generated around 15,000 surveys, each of which are being meticulously reviewed by additional data checkers to ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.
Access to this data by third parties is available upon request, and we welcome Supercritical to review the data as part of their Biochar Protocol.
In August this 2024, The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA) provided a conditional endorsement to the Global C-Sink Registry developed by Carbon Standards International (CSI). This endorsement allows us to use “ICROA endorsed” terminology in our materials, underscoring the credibility and potential of our methodologies for all projects that have an audited Project Design Document (PDD) available.
The endorsement is particularly significant as it serves as a precursor to formal approval, signifying that our standards are on track to meet stringent validation thresholds. Such recognition is pivotal as it not only affirms the robustness of our approach but also sets a precedent for future projects, reinforcing our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and effectiveness in carbon removal.
Biochar Life was one of the first CSI C-sink Managers to have their projects endorsed under the ICROA methodology.
The impact of our biochar projects in Kenya and Malawi extends far beyond the essential task of carbon removal. By integrating biochar into traditional farming practices, we’re not just sequestering carbon but also initiating a cascade of environmental and socio-economic benefits that contribute to sustainable community development:
Increased Agricultural Yields: The application of biochar to soil significantly improves its fertility, leading to higher crop yields. This boost in productivity provides farmers with more produce to sell, thus increasing their income and financial stability.
Improved Soil Health: Biochar has a porous structure that helps enhance soil aeration and water retention. These properties are crucial for revitalizing degraded soils, resulting in healthier crop growth and reduced need for chemical fertilizers, which in turn lowers agricultural runoff and soil pollution.
Economic Sustainability: The increase in crop yields and improvement in soil health contribute to a more sustainable economic model for farmers. This not only aids individual farmers but also supports the local economy by increasing the availability of locally grown produce and reducing dependency on imported goods.
Community Development and Resilience: By providing a sustainable source of income and improving food security, our projects help to build more resilient communities. Farmers are better equipped to handle economic fluctuations and adverse weather conditions, contributing to the overall stability and resilience of their communities.
Environmental Conservation: Beyond carbon sequestration, the use of biochar helps mitigate the impact of agriculture on the environment. It reduces the need for deforestation for agricultural expansion and decreases greenhouse gas emissions from soil by locking carbon into the land.
These co-benefits exemplify our commitment to creating solutions that sustain not only the environment but also the people and communities that depend on it. Through our work, we aim to demonstrate that environmental initiatives can and should have multifaceted benefits, addressing a range of global challenges.
The C-sink programme has positively changed my life and that of my entire family. I have managed to buy a small solar panel for my home, and I am no longer in the dark at night. One can easily identify my home from afar and differentiate it from other homes that are ever in darkness at night because of the lack of a source of light. Biochar has brought life to my home; Not to mention increased harvest of my Maize plantation.— Mildred Otieno, Smallholder Farmer, Rachuonyo North, Kenya
As we continue refining the technology and approaches used in our projects, it’s crucial to recognizse the indispensable role of artisanal methods, like those employed by our teams. The insights gained from current operations will guide future improvements, ensuring that our initiatives remain at the cutting edge of innovation and efficiency in carbon removal.
Artisanal methods are vital for meeting the 2030 and 2050 climate targets. They offer a people-centric methodology that yields substantial social impact — a fundamental aspect since the environmental movement is ultimately about safeguarding humanity. Working with smallholder farmers not only supports the global south, responsible for more than 30% of the world’s food production, but it also enhances the resilience and sustainability of global food systems.
While there is a place for Direct Air Capture (DAC) and other high-tech methods, these technologies are often costly, have yet to deliver at scale, and provide limited social benefits. In contrast, artisanal biochar projects are immediately implementable, cost-effective, and generate significant co-benefits for local communities, including improved agricultural productivity and economic stability.
Our journey in 2024 is a testament to what can be achieved through collaborative effort, technological innovation, and a commitment to sustainability. As we continue to expand and refine our operations, the lessons learned and successes achieved will not only inform our future projects but also contribute significantly to global efforts in combating climate change.
Take Action for a Sustainable Future: Join us in pioneering long-term carbon removal solutions that not only offset emissions but also secure a healthier planet for future generations. Get in touch if you’d like to learn more about how you can contribute to these crucial efforts and help lead the change toward true climate resilience.