Biochar as a carbon dioxide removal strategy in integrated long-run mitigation scenarios

Journal Article · 11 July 2024 · Environmental Research Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad52ab · OSTI ID:2396978

Bergero, Candelaria ; Wise, Marshall ; Lamers, Patrick ; Wang, Yong; Weber, Maridee

Abstract Limiting global warming to under 2 °C would require stringent mitigation and likely additional carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to compensate for otherwise unabated emissions. Because of its technology readiness, relatively low cost, and potential co-benefits, the application of biochar to soils could be an effective CDR strategy. We use the Global Change Analysis Model, a global multisector model, to analyze biochar deployment in the context of energy system uses of biomass with CDR under different carbon price trajectories. We find that biochar can create an annual sink of up to 2.8 GtCO ₂ per year, reducing global mean temperature increases by an additional 0.5%–1.8% across scenarios by 2100 for a given carbon price path. In our scenarios, biochar’s deployment is dependent on potential crop yield gains and application rates, and the competition for resources with other CDR measures. We find that biochar can serve as a competitive CDR strategy, especially at lower carbon prices when bioenergy with carbon capture and storage is not yet economical.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 2396978
• Journal Information: Environmental Research Letters, Journal Name: Environmental Research Letters Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 19; ISSN 1748-9326
• Publisher: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English