BiocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More as carbon-rich material from biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More, is gaining recognition for its potential to enhance soil health, improve agricultural practices, and mitigate climate change. Despite its promise, the widespread adoption of biochar faces economic and policy-related challenges. This necessitates an analysis of the role of government policy in supporting biochar production and use to guide future policy development.  

The Importance of Biochar

Biochar presents a promising solution to environmental and agricultural challenges. Its application to soil improves soil properties, enhances crop yield, and promotes carbon sequestration(Kabir et al., 2023). Biochar production can utilize various biomass feedstocks, including agricultural and forestry residues, and animal and municipal solid wastes, offering a sustainable waste management solution(Amalina et al., 2022). Globally, crop residue was estimated at 3803 Mt, equivalent to 60,848 million British thermal units (MBTU) and 1534.37 tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE) in 2003. By 2013, these figures had increased to 5011 Mt, 80,176 MBTU, and 2021.75 TOE(Rao et al., 2024) . In India alone, a substantial volume of agricultural wastes, estimated between 350 and 990 million tons per year, can be harnessed for biochar production. This includes crop residues like leaf litter, seed pods, and stalks, offering a pathway to manage waste and create a valuable product.    Beyond agriculture, biochar has diverse applications. It can clean up contaminated soil, filter pollutants from wastewater, and strengthen building materials (Kumar et al., 2020). This versatility increases its value and potential market demand.  However, the adoption of biochar, particularly in agriculture, has been slow, hindered by high upfront production costs and the lack of well-defined markets and policies(Salo et al., 2024).  

The Role of Government Policy

Government policy is crucial in promoting biochar production and use. The key policy programs to support biochar are as follows(Pourhashem et al., 2019):

• Commercial financial incentives: Grants, loan guarantees, and tax credits can alleviate the financial burden on biochar producers and enhance cost-competitiveness.
• Nonfinancial policy support: Programs that raise awareness, establish product standards, and promote biochar use across sectors are essential.
• Research and development funding: Investing in R&D can drive innovation in production technologies, improve efficiency, and explore new applications.  

Current Policy Landscape

Both India and the United States recognize biochar’s potential for sustainable agriculture and environmental benefits, but their policy approaches differ. India has proactively integrated biochar into national agricultural programs like the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, the National Policy on Biofuels, and the National Biochar Initiative, with specific schemes like the Soil Health Cards and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana supporting its application. The India BioChar and Bioresources network and the ICAR’s Krishi Vigyan Kendras further promote biochar adoption nationwide through a comprehensive five-year plan.

In contrast, the US policy landscape offers a mix of implicit and explicit support through programs like the Biorefinery Assistance Program and the USDA Certified Biobased Product label, alongside efforts by organizations like the IBI and USBI. While research and development are underway, dedicated funding and policy support for biochar remain limited compared to other renewables (Peeyush etal., 2024). Overall, India’s current policy framework appears more explicitly focused on leveraging biochar for agricultural enhancement and waste management. At the same time, the US has a broader approach with less targeted support, indicating a need for more specific policies in both nations to fully capitalize on biochar’s potential.

Addressing Key Challenges for Biochar Adoption

Addressing the widespread adoption of biochar necessitates tackling several key challenges that currently impede its progress. While the policy landscape is becoming increasingly supportive, practical barriers related to market demand, financial sustainability of production, and the scaling of equipment manufacturing need focused attention. Several barriers impede biochar’s widespread adoption.

• Lack of Demand: Despite its many applications, high-quality markets for biochar are underdeveloped. Producers face challenges in finding reliable buyers for uses like mine reclamation, wastewater treatment, and sustainable construction, hindering scalability(Kurniawan et al., 2023). Targeted engagement with potential buyers is essential to communicate specific needs and production standards.  
• Overreliance on Carbon Credits: Many biochar producers, especially in South America and Africa, depend heavily on carbon credits for revenue. This creates vulnerability due to fluctuating carbon prices and rising labor costs. Diversifying income streams through applications in agriculture, sustainable construction, and mine reclamation can provide stability. In regions like California, utilizing orchard waste for biochar production offers a dual benefit: reducing open burning of crop residues (a major source of greenhouse gas emissions) and creating a valuable product(Sovacool, 2023).  
• Financing for Equipment Manufacturers: Limited access to financing hinders equipment manufacturers’ ability to scale production and meet growing demand. Governments can play a role by incentivizing financial institutions to lend to these manufacturers and by helping them understand the biochar market’s risks and opportunities.  

Overcoming these hurdles is crucial to fully realize biochar’s environmental and economic benefits for the agricultural sector and beyond. By strategically addressing these limitations, countries can pave the way for a more robust and impactful biochar industry.

Recommendations for Future Policy

To fully realize biochar’s potential, consider the following policy recommendations.

• Improve policies for monetizing environmental benefits and avoided costs: This will help create market mechanisms that recognize biochar’s true value and incentivize its adoption.
• Recognize soil as a resource through national preservation policy: Elevating the importance of soil health can create a framework for supporting practices like biochar application.
• Develop broadly accepted product standards for biochar: Ensuring quality and consistency will foster trust and market acceptance.
• Promote biochar “insetting”: Encourage companies to integrate biochar into their supply chains to reduce emissions, improve soil health, and enhance crop yields.  
• Support regional bioeconomy development: Techno-economic analyses and policy initiatives can foster a circular bioeconomy for biochar and orchard biomass, promoting economic growth and reducing reliance on harmful practices like open burning.  

Biochar holds substantial promise for addressing environmental and agricultural challenges. Strategic policy support is essential to unlock its full potential. By implementing the recommendations outlined, governments can foster sustainable land management, strengthen rural economies, and contribute to climate change mitigation.

References

Amalina, F., Razak, A. S. A., Krishnan, S., Sulaiman, H., Zularisam, A. W., & Nasrullah, M. (2022). Biochar production techniques utilizing biomass waste-derived materials and environmental applications – A review. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 7(June), 100134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100134

Kabir, E., Kim, K. H., & Kwon, E. E. (2023). Biochar as a tool for the improvement of soil and environment. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11(December), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1324533

Kumar, M., Xiong, X., Wan, Z., Sun, Y., Tsang, D. C. W., Gupta, J., Gao, B., Cao, X., Tang, J., & Ok, Y. S. (2020). Ball milling as a mechanochemical technology for fabrication of novel biochar nanomaterials. Bioresource Technology, 312(June), 123613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123613

Kurniawan, T. A., Othman, M. H. D., Liang, X., Goh, H. H., Gikas, P., Chong, K. K., & Chew, K. W. (2023). Challenges and opportunities for biochar to promote circular economy and carbon neutrality. Journal of Environmental Management, 332(February), 117429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117429

Peeyush Sharma, Vikas Abrol, N. S. (2024). Policies and startegies for sustainable use of biochar in Indian agriculture. BioResources.

Pourhashem, G., Hung, S. Y., Medlock, K. B., & Masiello, C. A. (2019). Policy support for biochar: Review and recommendations. GCB Bioenergy, 11(2), 364–380. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12582

Rao, M. M., Botsa, S. M., Rao, T. P., Goddu, S. R., & Vijayasanthi, C. (2024). A comprehensive review on agricultural waste production and onsite management with circular economy opportunities. Discover Sustainability, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00492-z

Salo, E., Weber, K., Hagner, M., & Näyhä, A. (2024). Nordic perspectives on the emerging biochar business. Journal of Cleaner Production, 475(July). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.143660

Sovacool, B. K. (2023). Expanding carbon removal to the Global South: Thematic concerns on systems, justice, and climate governance. Energy and Climate Change, 4(April), 100103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egycc.2023.100103