Franco, Page-Dumroese, Pierson, & Nicosia (2024) 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 Utilization as a Forestry Climate-Smart Tool. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051714

The article explores the vital role of carbon (C) in the context of climate change, emphasizing its movement between the atmosphere, land, and ocean. The combustion of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, escalating C movement into the atmosphere and contributing to rising temperatures. This shift intensifies climate disturbances, necessitating a deeper understanding of C’s significance and the imperative to reduce atmospheric levels for climate change mitigation.

Two biological methods, forests and biochar, emerge as cost-effective strategies for long-term C retention in the terrestrial pool. However, the article acknowledges the controversy surrounding forest harvesting, woody 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 utilization, and their impact on C emissions reduction. Despite these debates, the primary objective is to underscore the importance of C, forests, and biochar in mitigating climate change’s adverse effects.

The study reveals that climate-smart forest management practices effectively manage C and increase C stocks, presenting a promising avenue for mitigation. Additionally, biochar proves to be a climate-smart tool by enhancing soil carbon sequestration and reducing soil greenhouse gas emissions. The comprehensive review emphasizes the potential of forest management actions as efficient C management approaches.

In the broader context, the article aligns with international efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global temperature increases. The interconnectedness of carbon, forests, and biochar offers a holistic approach to mitigate climate change impacts and align with the global goal of restricting temperature rise to 1.5 °C by the end of the century. Overall, the systematic literature review underscores the importance of these elements in promoting sustainable forests, healthy soils, and addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change.