Biochar Production and Its Role in Carbon Sequestration
Author: Eng. Abdullah Marza Hamza
Sustainable Development Goals:
Climate Action
Responsible Consumption and Production
Life on Land
Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced through the pyrolysis of organic biomass under limited oxygen conditions. Its production serves dual purposes: waste biomass management and long-term carbon sequestration. When applied to soil, biochar improves soil fertility, water retention, and crop yields, while locking carbon in a stable form that can persist for hundreds to thousands of years. This makes biochar a promising strategy in mitigating climate change by reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels. Moreover, biochar production supports circular economy principles by converting agricultural residues, forestry waste, and even municipal organic waste into valuable products. However, optimizing pyrolysis conditions, feedstock selection, and understanding biochar-soil interactions remain active research areas. Scaling up biochar applications requires addressing economic, technical, and policy challenges, but its potential for sustainable environmental management and climate mitigation is significant.
Al-Mustaqbal University – The No. 1 Private University in Iraq