The recent BBC Panorama episode, “Can Scientists Save the Planet?”, which aired on November 18th, highlights CapChar, a UK-based carbon removal startup. The program showcases CapChar’s on-farm 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 solution designed to decarbonize agriculture while regenerating soil health.

Biochar locks carbon in soil for centuries, improving soil’s water and nutrient retention. This approach helps mitigate emissions from agriculture, a sector responsible for 12% of UK greenhouse gases, particularly methane and nitrous oxide. CapChar’s solution also addresses the UK’s limited biochar production capacity with a scalable, low-cost, farm-based model.

The episode features CapChar’s work in Cornwall, where biochar reduces greenhouse gases while offering economic benefits to farmers. Founders Adam Samuel and Chintan Mahida outline their vision for a distributed network of biochar plants that enable local carbon sequestration, create jobs, and support sustainable farming practices.

CapChar’s projects, including sites in Wales and Cornwall, have already pre-sold carbon credits, demonstrating commercial viability. With the UK government set to impose a carbon tax on fertilizers by 2027, CapChar urges increased policy support to accelerate adoption of biochar technology.

As global emissions reach record levels, CapChar’s biochar offers a practical, deployable solution to help UK farming tackle climate change and enhance food security.

Stream the full story on demand here (UK Only): Can Scientists Save The World