Low-hanging fruit in climate mitigation overlooked: Biochar is underrated, researchers say

A new study shows that biochar is more effective at long-term carbon storage than previously thought. The study reveals serious flaws in the models used by the IPCC and European climate policy makers.

Biochar – a carbon-rich material produced by pyrolyzing biomass – has long been recognized for its ability to improve soil health and sequester carbon. But conventional models have underestimated its potential as a sustainable CO₂ removal solution. As a result, biochar has not been prioritized as a key tool in global and European climate strategies.

Now, a transformative new study led by Professor Hamed Sanei of Aarhus University and recently published In biocharChallenges old notions of biochar and reveals its huge potential as a shovel-ready, long-term carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solution.

“Our study shows that biochar is not just a promising technology – it is a necessary technology,” said Professor Saaney, head of the Lithospheric Organic Carbon Lab at Aarhus University in Denmark.

The research identifies critical shortcomings in the carbon modeling framework that the IPCC and European climate policies have relied on, and offers a pathway to fully unlocking the promise of biochar for climate mitigation.

“Previous models underestimated the stability of the carbon stored in biochar. By correcting these inaccuracies, we can propel biochar to its rightful place as a highly reliable carbon storage option.”

The study builds on previous research by Sanei and Henrik Ingerman Petersen and colleagues, who showed last year that biochar can store carbon for millions of years. The new study highlights how existing models used by the IPCC and other climate organizations fail to accurately reflect this long-term sustainability.

A revised narrative on biochar

The research documents how outdated assumptions have sidelined biochar in climate discussions.

By addressing these misconceptions, the study establishes the foundation for recognizing biochar as an effective, scalable, and sustainable carbon storage technology.

“Biochar is a missed opportunity in the fight against climate change,” said Professor Ingerman Petersen of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), who is also a co-author of the new study. “Our work corrects the narrative and highlights the extraordinary potential of biochar for long-term carbon storage. This is a ready-to-implement technology that can have an immediate impact.”

Denmark is at the forefront

Denmark in particular will benefit greatly from this research. As a leader in innovative climate initiatives, Denmark has already identified biochar as a key component of its strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

“This study provides policy makers and stakeholders with the tools they need to confidently integrate biochar into carbon markets,” said Professor Ondrej Masek, University of Edinburgh, co-author of the paper.

call to action

The authors hope that their findings will inspire immediate action among policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. With accurate models now available, supported by the latest experimental findings, biochar and slow pyrolysis can take center stage as a reliable and scientifically validated solution for carbon dioxide removal.

“This is not just a story about biochar – it is about the future of carbon removal,” said Professor Davide Chiaramonti of Politecnico di Torino. “By improving the accuracy of our models, we unlock the potential of technologies like biochar that are ready to scale today.”