In a comprehensive research article published in the journal Biochar, lead author Mengjie Han and a team of international researchers explore a novel strategy to help China meet its ambitious climate goals. The study investigates the potential of combining biochar production with the cultivation of dedicated bioenergy crops, a strategy referred to as BCBE. By retrofitting existing 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 power plants to produce biochar rather than just burning waste for electricity, the researchers found that China could significantly increase its carbon removal capacity. This approach addresses the primary limitation of traditional biochar, which is the limited supply of agricultural and forestry residues. By utilizing abandoned croplands to grow hardy crops like miscanthus and switchgrass, the researchers identified a massive new source of feedstockFeedstock refers to the raw organic material used to produce biochar. This can include a wide range of materials, such as wood chips, agricultural residues, and animal manure. More that does not interfere with food security.

The findings reveal that biochar derived from these dedicated energy crops has a carbon removal potential of roughly 25.8 million tons of carbon dioxide per year when utilizing existing plant capacities. This potential is remarkably similar to the amount of carbon that can be removed using traditional agricultural and forestry leftovers. However, the true power of this technology becomes apparent when looking at a larger scale. If China were to build new 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 plants specifically designed for this process, the maximum removal potential could soar to over 1880 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. This level of removal would play a vital role in China’s pathway toward its 2060 carbon neutrality target, providing a stable and long-term way to sequester carbon in the soil for decades or even centuries.

One of the most compelling results of the study is the economic comparison between biochar and other popular negative emission technologies. Specifically, the researchers compared BCBE to bioenergy crop cultivation with carbon capture and storage, known as BECCS. While BECCS can technically remove more carbon per ton of biomass because it captures almost all emitted gases, it is hampered by extremely high costs and the need for expensive underground storage infrastructure. The study found that biochar production is significantly more affordable, with an average cost of 59.6 dollars per ton of carbon dioxide removed. In contrast, the more complex carbon capture technology costs over 90 dollars per ton. This makes biochar a much more viable option for immediate, large-scale deployment in the real world.

The researchers also highlight the regional advantages of this technology across China. The eastern and central regions of the country currently have the highest capacity for biochar production due to a large concentration of existing biomass power plants. However, regions like the Southwest represent a massive untapped opportunity. These areas are rich in natural biomass resources but currently lack the facilities to process them. By prioritizing the construction of new pyrolysis units in these biomass-rich but infrastructure-poor provinces, China could optimize its carbon removal strategy. This spatial matching of resources and facilities is essential for reducing transportation costs and ensuring that the carbon removal process remains energy-efficient and profitable for plant operators.

Beyond simply removing carbon from the air, the study emphasizes the secondary benefits of applying biochar to fields. When biochar is added to soil, it acts as a permanent amendment that increases soil organic carbon and reduces the emission of other potent greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide. Furthermore, biochar returns essential nutrients like phosphorus and potassium to the earth, which can help farmers reduce their reliance on expensive chemical fertilizers. This creates a circular economy where energy crops are grown on marginal land, turned into clean energy and biochar, and then used to restore the health of the soil. This multi-layered benefit makes the combination of energy crops and biochar one of the most promising tools available for sustainable climate mitigation.

Source: Han, M., Yuan, C., Ciais, P., Goll, D. S., Leng, Y., Sun, M., Meng, N., Zhou, J., Du, X., Guan, D., Cai, W., Wang, R., Shen, J., Jing, L., Zhao, Q., & Li, W. (2026). Carbon dioxide removal potential of biochar with biomass supply from bioenergy crops in China. Biochar, 8(43).