Keeping things simple

One of the great things about biochar is that, at its core, it’s not a complicated idea. In fact, most people could make a small batch of biochar in their backyard with a basic setup and a bit of know-how. So why, then, does the conversation around biochar often feel so complex? In the world of industrial-scale biochar production, there’s a constant push to optimise for three outcomes simultaneously: generating bioenergy, processing complex waste streams and removing carbon from the atmosphere. While that sounds ideal on paper, it’s a lot to juggle in practice and that complexity can become a barrier to action.

What if, instead of trying to hit all three targets from day one, we focused on just one: using biochar as a tool for carbon dioxide removal? That focus alone has enormous potential to make a meaningful impact on climate change. And by narrowing the scope, we reduce the technological hurdles that often stall progress.

Feedstock is another area where simplicity matters. It’s tempting to imagine a circular system that turns coffee grounds and kitchen scraps into biochar. But at scale, when you’re moving truckloads of material a day, consistency and volume are key. In that context, using residual wood chips from sawmills and forestry operations makes more sense. It’s readily available, it’s uniform, and it doesn’t require a complicated logistics network to source.

Then there’s energy efficiency. If we don’t capture and optimally use of all the heat generated during pyrolysis, we’re missing an opportunity. But we can’t run before first learning to walk. Right now, the priority should be getting projects off the ground, not perfecting them. We can revisit these optimisations and opportunities when the foundation is solid. The bottom line? By stripping away the extras and focusing on what matters most, which is removing carbon through biochar, we can start making progress today. Complexity can wait.