Gerhard Soja (AIT - Austrian Institute of Technology, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Österr. Verein für Biomasse-Karbonisierung - ÖBI) reports on the production of biochar — one of six promising approaches for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere — along with its quality assurance and areas of application, in the newly published Fact Sheet in the series 'Climate Change — Mitigation and Adaptation'.

Key findings of the research project: 

• Biochar sequesters carbon — which was previously removed from the atmosphere as CO2 by plant photosynthesis — over the long term (decades to centuries).
• The application of biochar is one of the measures recommended by the IPCC for removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The technology is mature and currently at the scale-up stage (TRL 8–9).
• Applying quality-assured biochar to soil enables a range of additional benefits for soil fertility, soil water balance, plant productivity, and the reduction of nitrogen losses. The quality of construction materials and industrial materials can also benefit from the addition of biochar.

Read more in "Biochar for CO2 Removal from the Atmosphere"