Pacific 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, in strategic partnership with Humboldt Sawmill Company, has successfully scaled the HSC Biochar Carbon Removal project in Scotia, California, integrating biochar production into existing sawmill and bioenergy operations. By retrofitting established industrial infrastructure rather than constructing new facilities, the project minimizes capital expenditures while transforming woody byproducts—sourced from FSC-certified managed natural forests—into stable carbon sinks and high-performance agricultural soil amendments. Operational since 2020 and transitioning to a CCP-Approved methodology under Isometric standards in 2025, the initiative has issued more than 6,900 credits and projects an annual output of approximately 10,000 credits over a 30-year horizon.

A primary challenge confronting industrial-scale biochar operations involves navigating the high capital and working capital burdens associated with processing, field deployment, and rigorous digital measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV). Furthermore, project developers frequently encounter hurdles when introducing innovative thermal conversion technologies within California’s exceptionally stringent regulatory environment, which necessitates intensive stakeholder engagement and regulatory compliance prior to implementation.

To overcome these barriers, the project utilizes a low-cost infrastructure retrofit approach paired with the Mangrove Systems digital MRV platform to meticulously trace emissions and removals across the entire value chain—from 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 handling through final soil application. Supported by continuous laboratory testing and third-party verification, the initiative ensures high carbon integrity, with over 95% of the sequestered carbon projected to remain stable beyond a 200-year durability threshold.

The initiative yields profound outcomes for regional agriculture, climate mitigation, and industrial sustainability. Farmers and landowners across California utilizing the biochar report marked improvements in water retention, nutrient conservation, and soil fertility—crucial advantages amid intensifying regional drought pressures. Simultaneously, the associated bioenergy facility generates roughly 156,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually to power sawmill operations while exporting excess clean energy to the local grid.