The Climate Action Reserve is developing a Biochar Protocol that will provide guidance on how to quantify, monitor, report, and verify climate benefits from the production and use of biochar, which is capable of locking up carbon and keeping it from re-entering the atmosphere for centuries. Biochar production provides an opportunity for the productive use of a variety of feedstocks that are otherwise considered waste biomass, including non-merchantable residues from timber harvests and fuel thinnings.
Workgroup
The Biochar Protocol is being developed through the Reserve’s multi-stakeholder workgroup process. The Reserve strives to create a well-balanced workgroup consisting of industry representatives, project developers, environmental NGOs, verification bodies, independent consultants, academia, and government bodies. You can view the Workgroup member organizations list and Workgroup meetings here: https://www.climateactionreserve.org/how/protocols/biochar/dev/
Market Analysis and Pilot Projects
A biochar market analysis evaluating the potential scale of credits that can be produced from biochar and the anticipated demand for such credits was developed by Blue Forest, who is also providing financial support for the analysis courtesy of funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, with advisory services provided by Daniel Sanchez, Assistant Specialist in Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at the University of California-Berkeley.
- Biochar market analysis
Additionally, several pilot projects (provided by Pacific Biochar, Biochar Solutions, and additional biochar producers yet to be determined) will be developed alongside the protocol to test viability of offset project requirements.
Funding
Funding support for the development of the Biochar Protocol, market analysis, and pilot projects is provided by a Wood Innovations Grant from the USDA Forest Service and a Forest Health Grant from CAL FIRE.
