Biochar
The goal of the Endowment Forest Carbon Program is to invest in catalytic climate resiliency solutions that benefit forests, markets, and communities.
What is Biochar and Why Does It Matter?
Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by heating biomass in a low-oxygen environment through a process known as pyrolysis. Forest residues, mill byproducts, and other biomass materials can be converted into biochar and used in a variety of applications, including agriculture, environmental restoration, water management, and specialty products.
As interest in biochar continues to grow, it presents new opportunities to create value from underutilized forest resources, support innovation, and strengthen markets that benefit forests and forest-dependent communities.
About the Program
The Endowment supports efforts that explore how biochar can create value from forest resources, early work included the publication of Biochar: Turning Wood to Gold, which helped introduce forestry stakeholders to the potential of biochar as a value-added product derived from woody biomass.
The Endowment has piloted commercial-scale biochar production, including generating carbon removal credits from forest restoration treatments in national forests. It also supplied biochar for demonstrations in agriculture, stormwater management, and forest and land restoration efforts. Through collaborations with partners on the ground, we continue to explore innovative uses for biochar applications in areas such as mine reclamation, watershed restoration, and other land improvement projects.
- The Endowment supported industry growth through the establishment of the North American Biochar Institute as an independent nonprofit organization that works to advance biochar applications, production, and market development as well as industry standards and best practices. One example is that the Institute has led the development of material quality and laboratory testing standards to increase trust in biochar. Read more about the standards and why they matter.
Understanding Biochar
Biochar continues to gain attention as an innovative way to create value from forest resources and other biomass materials. Visitors can learn more about biochar through the educational video below, which explores how biochar is produced, where it is used, and why it is generating interest across multiple industries.
Video courtesy of #ForestProud.
