Shropshire Council in the United Kingdom has announced a new partnership with Raft Energy and Biodynamic Carbon (BDC), a joint venture between the council and Carbon Hill Ltd., to advance a regional carbon removal strategy based on 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 production. The agreement establishes a long-term framework for producing high-grade biochar and generating certified carbon removal credits. The initiative integrates Raft Energy’s biochar technologies with local infrastructure and positions the county as an early adopter of council-led carbon removal projects. The collaboration builds on existing biochar facilities in the region, including an operational system near Welshpool and a second unit scheduled for commissioning in Ludlow.

The initiative addresses a broader challenge faced by local governments seeking to meet climate targets while maintaining financial sustainability. Many municipal decarbonization strategies depend on national funding or subsidies, which can limit the pace and scale of climate projects. At the same time, local authorities must identify credible carbon removal approaches that produce measurable outcomes and align with emerging carbon markets. Ensuring reliable carbon sequestration, improving renewable energy systems, and developing economically viable climate solutions remain key challenges for regional governments attempting to implement practical climate mitigation strategies.

The partnership focuses on integrating biochar technologies with anaerobic digestion (AD) infrastructure already used across the United Kingdom. Raft Energy has developed ActiCH4R, an activated biochar product designed to enhance the performance of biogas plants. When applied within AD systems, the material can increase energy output while improving the quality of digestate fertilizer. The system also incorporates Raft Energy’s ActiSense monitoring technology to optimize plant performance. Under the new agreement, Shropshire Council and its partners will coordinate the production and sale of the ActiCH4R product at biochar production sites while generating carbon removal credits verified under recognized standards such as the European Biochar Certificate (EBC).

Early outcomes indicate that the project is creating a scalable framework for municipal participation in carbon removal markets. The Welshpool unit is already operational and partially owned by the council, while a fully council-owned facility in Ludlow is expected to become operational in the near term. Both systems are designed to produce certified carbon removal credits alongside renewable energy and biochar products. By combining public ownership with private-sector technology development, the partnership may provide a replicable model for local governments seeking to integrate biochar production into climate policy and regional economic development strategies.