Carbon Standards International and CBEA Strengthen Collaboration from Europe to Africa

 Carbon Standards International and the Circular Bio-Nutrient Economy Association (CBEA) will continue their collaboration at the upcoming Bio360 Africa event in Johannesburg, South Africa where they will jointly highlight advancements in biochar standards, carbon market integration, and agricultural impact across Sub-Saharan Africa.

At the event, the two organizations will share a dedicated space to showcase their partnership, aligning on-the-ground biochar production with high-integrity carbon certification frameworks. This joint presence will provide an opportunity to engage stakeholders on key industry challenges, including dMRV integration, quality assurance systems, and the dual importance of carbon credit integrity and soil health outcomes.

CBEA will also host a side event focused on biochar in agriculture, reinforcing a central theme of their work with Carbon Standards International: that high-quality carbon credits must go hand in hand with measurable agricultural benefits. By bringing together implementation expertise and standardization frameworks, the collaboration aims to strengthen both market confidence and practical impact across the region.

Building on Momentum from Bio360 Europe (France, February 2026) 

This upcoming engagement builds on a strong foundation established earlier this year at Bio360 Europe in Nantes, France, where Isabella Cullota, Programs Manager at CBEA, represented the network among more than 6,000 participants and 500 exhibitors from across the bio-economy and carbon removal sectors.

At the European Event, CBEA and Carbon Standards International co-exhibited at the European event, creating a hub for discussion with other key organizations, including Biochar Europe and the International Biochar Initiative. Discussions focused on verification standards, lab access, dMRV systems, and the integrity of artisanal versus industrial biochar—reinforcing the need to safeguard both carbon credit credibility and soil health as the sector grows across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Bella also contributed to a panel on the valorization of agricultural residues, where she highlighted the state of the biochar industry in East Africa and outlined opportunities for growth. A key focus of both the panel and exhibition discussions was the importance of agricultural co-benefits—such as improved soil fertility, water retention, and microbial activity—which are embedded within Carbon Standards International’s testing protocols and quality assurance frameworks.

Isabella Cullota( Centre-White Sweater) during her  presentation on Valorisation of Agricultural Residues for Energy Production, Soil Improvement and Carbon Removal – Feedback, Initiatives and Perspectives panel, February 11th, 2026, Nantes, France. Photo credit: Bio360 Europe.

The collaboration emphasized that biochar’s value extends beyond carbon removal. For CBEA members, nutrient and toxicology testing are essential not only for generating carbon credits but also for ensuring biochar serves as a high-quality soil amendment that supports long-term agricultural productivity. The exchange in Nantes strengthened the shared commitment of CBEA and Carbon Standards International to advancing credible, science-based systems for biochar production and carbon removal. It also expanded their global network, bringing new partners into conversations around standards, policy, and implementation.

As the partnership moves to Johannesburg, the focus shifts from dialogue to deeper regional engagement—ensuring that lessons from global platforms translate into tangible outcomes for biochar producers and carbon markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

By Isabella Cullota

Programs Manager-CBEA