A new study reveals that transforming biomass from dedicated energy crops into biochar could provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping China move closer to its carbon neutrality goals.
Researchers developed a novel approach that combines biochar production with biomass supply from bioenergy crops, addressing long-standing limitations in carbon dioxide removal technologies. Biochar, a stable carbon-rich material produced by heating biomass under low-oxygen conditions, can lock carbon in soils for decades or even centuries while improving soil health.
"Biochar has long been recognized as a promising carbon removal strategy, but its deployment has been constrained by limited biomass supply," said the study's corresponding author. "Our work shows that integrating bioenergy crops into the system can significantly expand its potential while keeping costs low."
The team evaluated this integrated system across China by analyzing existing biomass power plants, transportation networks, and realistic biomass supply chains. They found that using bioenergy crops grown on abandoned cropland could deliver a carbon removal potential of about 25.8 million tons of CO2 per year. This level is comparable to biochar produced from agricultural and forestry residues, which has traditionally been the main feedstock.
Importantly, the study highlights a major economic advantage. Producing biochar using this combined approach costs roughly $9.6 per ton of CO2 removed, making it far cheaper than bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, or BECCS, which costs about $90.9 per ton. While BECCS can remove slightly more carbon, its high infrastructure and storage costs limit its practicality.
"Cost is a critical factor for large-scale deployment," the authors noted. "Biochar stands out because it delivers meaningful carbon removal at a fraction of the cost of alternative technologies."
Beyond cost, the research also demonstrates the scalability of the approach. By expanding biomass supply through energy crops and building additional pyrolysis facilities, the total carbon removal potential of biochar in China could reach up to 1.88 billion tons of CO2 per year under optimized conditions.
The study also identifies where this strategy could be most effective. Regions with abundant biomass resources and existing infrastructure, such as eastern and northeastern China, show the highest potential. Meanwhile, underutilized land in other regions offers opportunities for cultivating bioenergy crops without competing with food production.
In addition to removing carbon, biochar provides co-benefits for agriculture. When applied to soil, it can enhance soil organic carbon, improve nutrient retention, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as nitrous oxide. These benefits make biochar a multifunctional solution that supports both climate mitigation and sustainable agriculture.
However, the authors caution that challenges remain. Scaling up biochar production will require investment in infrastructure, improved integration with existing energy systems, and reliable biomass supply chains. Policy support and carbon market incentives will also play a key role in making large-scale deployment viable.
"Our findings suggest that biochar, especially when paired with bioenergy crops, could become a cornerstone of climate mitigation strategies," the researchers said. "With the right policies and investments, it has the potential to deliver both environmental and economic benefits."
As countries worldwide seek practical ways to achieve net-zero emissions, this study positions biochar as a promising, affordable, and scalable tool in the global fight against climate change.
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Journal Reference: Han, M., Yuan, C., Ciais, P. et al. Carbon dioxide removal potential of biochar with biomass supply from bioenergy crops in China. Biochar 8, 43 (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00564-x
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About Biochar
Biochar (e-ISSN: 2524-7867) is the first journal dedicated exclusively to biochar research, spanning agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications—such as bioenergy, environmental remediation, soil enhancement, climate mitigation, water treatment, and sustainability analysis. The journal serves as an innovative and professional platform for global researchers to share advances in this rapidly expanding field.
