In the current climate change environment, Biochar Carbon Removal (BCR) has become a dominant and technically advanced method that allows companies to effectively neutralize their residual emissions. Unlike solutions nature-based, such as reforestation, BCR represents an industrially managed process with guaranteed stability of stored carbon for over 100 years.

What is BCR and how does it work?

BCR is a technological process that captures atmospheric CO2 through the controlled thermochemical conversion of organic biomass. The key process is pyrolysis, in which biomass (e.g. agricultural residues or forest waste) is heated to a temperature 300°C to 700°C in an environment with low or zero oxygen.

This process transforms unstable carbon, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere through decomposition, into a highly stable solid structure – biochar. The by-products are syngas and bio-oil, which can replace fossil fuels and reduce the energy intensity of the operation.

Why is biochar the market leader?

In 2024, biochar-based projects accounted for up to 86 % of all carbon removal (CDR) purchases by volume. By early 2025, biochar even accounted for more than 90 % of all tons of permanent CDR delivered globally.

The main advantages include:

• Durability: The carbon in biochar does not decompose like organic matter in forests and is not threatened by fires or diseases.
• Chemical stability: Stability is quantified by the ratio of hydrogen to organic carbon (H/Corg), with values ≤ 0.7 indicating high resistance to degradation.
• Market confidence: Giants such as Microsoft, Google, JPMorgan and Swiss Re have already invested in multi-year biochar purchases.

Carbon accounting and certification

Net carbon removal is calculated using a rigorous life cycle methodology, where emissions from manufacturing and transportation are subtracted from the total amount of carbon stored. In 2025, three major registration platforms – Puro.earth, Verra VM0044 and Isometric – approval according to the core principles of integrity (ICVCM Core Carbon Principles).

Market conditions and prices in 2026–2028

The BCR market is entering a phase of limited supply. By the beginning of 2026, there is already approximately 40 % quality offers contracted for this year.

The current price benchmarks (February 2026) are as follows:

• Instant purchase (Spot): 155 – 200+ USD/tCO2e
• Multi-year contracts (2–5 years): 120-155 USD/tCO2e (offer the greatest budget predictability and savings).

Strategic importance for companies

Investing in BCR is not only about environmental impact, but also about compliance with international standards. BCR is fully compliant with SBTi Net-Zero standard, the EU Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD/ESRS) and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol).

For companies looking to ensure auditable and sustainable carbon removal, biochar currently represents the most affordable and technically proven path to achieving their climate goals. JRi&CO2AI