Biochar
Augur supports the development, certification and scaling of high-integrity biochar carbon credit projects
Biochar is emerging as one of the most promising solutions for sustainable carbon sequestration.
Produced from biomass residues through a pyrolysis process, it enables atmospheric carbon to be stored for centuries whilst delivering significant co-benefits for soils, agriculture and industry.
Biochar offers a combination of key benefits: long-term carbon storage over timeframes ranging from several hundred to several thousand years, a measurable improvement in soil health and agricultural resilience, and the circular utilisation of biomass residues.
This waste-to-energy initiative comes against a backdrop of growing demand for high-integrity carbon credits on voluntary markets
A Rapidly Growing Removal Market
Biochar combines durable carbon storage with tangible environmental and economic co-benefits.
Durable carbon removal
Biochar locks carbon in a stable structure that prevents it from returning to the atmosphere through natural biomass decomposition. This makes it one of the most robust nature-based carbon removal pathways currently available, with 90% of all durable CDR deliveries in 2025.
Soil health & agricultural resilience
When applied to soils, biochar can improve soil structure, water retention and nutrient efficiency, helping farmers increase productivity while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs.
Circular biomass management
Biochar production converts agricultural and forestry residues into valuable products, reducing emissions from open burning or organic waste decomposition.
Growing climate solution
Biochar has rapidly become a major contributor to the voluntary carbon market, accounting for a large share of durable carbon removal credits delivered globally.
Biochar Markets & Applications
Biochar is a versatile material with expanding proven industrial applications
Agriculture and soil improvement (~70%)
The largest market today. Biochar is used as a soil amendment to enhance soil fertility, water retention and long-term carbon storage.
Livestock systems (~12%)
Biochar is increasingly explored as a feed additive or bedding material, with potential benefits for methane mitigation, animal health and manure management.
Water treatment and filtration (~8%)
Its porous structure makes biochar an effective low-cost adsorbent for removing pollutants, heavy metals and nutrients from water systems.
Construction materials (~5%)
Biochar can be incorporated into concrete, asphalt and insulation materials, enabling the development of carbon-storing building materials.
Industrial applications (~5%)
In some sectors, biochar can partially substitute fossil carbon in industrial processes, offering potential decarbonisation pathways.
How Biochar Production Works
Biomass residues
Agricultural and forestry residues are collected and prepared.
Pyrolysis
Biomass is heated in a low-oxygen environment to produce biochar.
Carbon storage
Biochar is applied to soils or integrated into products, storing carbon long-term.
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Key Challenges in Biochar Project Development
The development of biochar projects involves a number of key challenges, including securing biomass supplies, selecting and coordinating carbon methodologies, and establishing robust MRV and performance monitoring systems.
Structuring the marketing of credits is also a key challenge. These factors position Augur as an expert partner, capable of going beyond consultancy to support the entire project value chain.
Revenue Streams
Thanks to its long-term carbon storage capacity, biochar can generate carbon credits when produced and used in accordance with certified methodologies.
Biochar credits are increasingly sought after by companies committed to net-zero pathways, due to their sustainability and the transparency of their tracking.
A biochar project can generate several sources of revenue, the combination of which can significantly improve project economics:
Carbon removal credits sold on voluntary markets
Biochar product sales for agriculture & industrial uses
Energy co-products such as syngas & bio-oil
Waste management benefits through biomass valorisation
Augur Biochar Services
Augur provides end-to-end support for the development and commercialisation of biocarbon projects:
Project feasibility
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Feedstock assessment
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Technology evaluation
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Economic modelling
Carbon certification
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Standard benchmarking
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Methodology selection
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MRV design
Credit issuance & commercialisation
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Carbon credit issuance
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Market positioning
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Buyer engagement
Project financing
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Investor readiness
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Risk mitigation
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Partnership structuring
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Fundraising support
Our Partners
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Insights & Resources
Sustainable development is about meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability to meet the needs of tomorrow.
A company's implementation is framed by ecological, social and governance (ESG) principles. However, a genuine commitment requires concrete actions.
As our world and the global cannabis industry evolve, there is a need for a tailored approach that addresses sector-specific challenges while promoting best practices.
As ESG becomes the new norm, purposefully positioning yourself within this trend will enhance shareholder value and accentuate your position with prospective investors.
With an in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of this highly volatile sector, we can understand your needs and reap more benefits than a one-size-fits-all ESG oversight.
Why Augur?
Augur combines in-depth expertise in carbon markets, life-cycle analysis and bio-based value chains to develop high-integrity carbon projects. We support projects from start to finish, from the feasibility stages through to the issuance and trading of carbon credits, ensuring environmental rigour and economic performance.
Developing a biochar project?
Augur supports developers, investors and industrial partners in structuring and scaling up robust biochar projects that are aligned with market requirements and long-term value creation objectives. We design projects that are technically sound, bankable and scalable.
