Scientists are proposing a new way to boost the climate benefits of biochar by pairing it with peatland restoration. A new study suggests that applying biochar to rewetted peatlands could dramatically improve long term carbon storage while making biochar production more efficient and scalable.
Biochar, a charcoal like material made by heating biomass in low oxygen conditions, is widely recognized as a promising carbon dioxide removal technology. When added to soil, it can store carbon for decades or centuries. However, the stability of biochar varies depending on how it is produced and where it is applied. Current climate programs often favor highly stable biochars produced at high temperatures, but this approach reduces carbon yield and increases pressure on limited biomass resources.
The new research explores whether rewetted peatlands could provide an alternative solution. When peatlands are drained for agriculture, they release large amounts of greenhouse gases. Restoring water levels slows decomposition and helps prevent carbon loss. The researchers found that these waterlogged conditions could also slow the breakdown of biochar, allowing more of its carbon to remain stored over time.
"Our findings suggest that where biochar is applied may be just as important as how it is produced," said the study's lead author. "Rewetted peatlands create naturally low oxygen environments that suppress microbial activity, which helps biochar persist for longer."
Using biogeochemical modeling approaches, the team estimated how biochar would behave in saturated peat compared with typical agricultural soils. Over a 100 year period, rewetted peatlands increased carbon retention by about 5 percent for highly stable biochars and up to 40 percent for lower stability biochars. In practical terms, this means biochars that are cheaper and easier to produce could become viable for long term carbon removal if applied in the right environment.
The results also challenge a common assumption in climate policy. Many carbon markets prioritize biochar with the highest stability, assuming it offers the best carbon storage potential. The study shows that this focus may overlook an important tradeoff. Lower temperature biochars often retain more carbon during production, so when combined with peatland rewetting they may deliver greater overall carbon removal efficiency.
"This work suggests we should think about biochar deployment as part of a system rather than a single technology," the researchers noted. "By integrating it with peatland restoration, we may be able to remove more carbon using fewer resources."
The authors emphasize that challenges remain. Rewetting peatlands can increase methane emissions in some cases, and large scale biochar application would require new monitoring and regulatory frameworks. Long term land management commitments would also be necessary to ensure carbon remains stored.
Despite these uncertainties, the researchers argue that combining biochar with peatland restoration could significantly enhance global climate mitigation strategies. International climate plans already include large scale peatland rewetting as a nature based solution. Adding biochar to these projects could help maximize their carbon removal potential while improving the efficiency of biomass use.
The study concludes that reconsidering how and where biochar is used could open new pathways for scalable carbon dioxide removal. If supported by updated carbon market rules and careful environmental safeguards, this integrated approach could play an important role in helping countries reach net zero emissions targets.
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Journal Reference: Rhymes, J.M., McNamara, N.P., Jones, D.L. et al. Harnessing peatland rewetting for effective biochar-based carbon dioxide removal. Biochar 8, 16 (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00524-5
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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.
