October CBEN Monthly Call: Standardizing Biochar to maximize impact without sacrificing material quality

We had a successful second CBEN ‘Monthlies’ call this past Monday with 18 CBEN members across 4 timezones! In the first 10 minutes, we gave network updates and introduced new members- welcome to Chloe, Joanne, and Joy from EcoRestore biofertilizer venture in South Africa! In each meeting, following intros, we ask a CBEN member to give a 10-15 presentation or facilitate a discussion to structure our conversation and catch-ups. This week Johannes Lehmann, Professor in Soil and Crop Science at Cornell University and advisor and facilitator of CBEN, led a discussion on international biochar standards set by Carbon Standards International (CSI) and the International Biochar Initiative (IBI). 

Johannes began with an overview of CSI and IBI standards and the biochar standards review process. He emphasized the significance of the H2C-ORG ratio in defining biochar and differentiating it from non-pyrolyzed, or not-fully pyrolyzed materials. He compared the IBI and IPCC methods for carbon accounting, highlighting ongoing efforts to harmonize these standards. Johannes stressed the need for stakeholder input to refine biochar analysis guidelines, proposing discussions at the upcoming CBEN meeting in June and suggesting an earlier feedback opportunity on the new guideline document, maybe this coming December. Berta, CDR Lead at CarbonFutures, raised concerns about the distinctions between industrial and artisanal biochar production, prompting a discussion on the complexities of production methods and the potential disadvantages for artisanal producers in a simplified accounting system.

Our discussions also addressed the importance of education regarding biochar, particularly among government officials, as there are currently no established standards in Sub-Saharan Africa. Purity, of BIOSORRA in Kenya,  highlighted this need, while Johannes shared his experiences in New York, where IBI guidelines have improved regulation and farmer awareness. Bella concluded the meeting by expressing gratitude for the contributions made and underscoring the importance of tackling biochar market and policy challenges at a network. 

Our key questions from this call were:

• How can we differentiate between industrially produced biochar and artisanal biochar in the updated guidelines?

• How can we ensure that the certification process for biochar is accessible and affordable for small producers?

• How can we build trust and share success stories among farmers to promote the use of biochar?

Overall, it was great to catch up and touch base on standards that will impact many of our operations as nutrient recovery practitioners utilizing the biochar carbon market to subsidize our product and operations. 

If you want to join November’s call it’s a great time to catch up if you’re already in CBEN and if not, to learn more about the network! First Monday of each Month:-) All are welcome. Please reach out with a quick intro about yourself to get the link in our contact form. 

Author: Bella Culotta, Programs Manager for CBEN