carbon removal. But what exactly is this biochar project, and why is it crucial in the fight against carbon emissions? Let's dive into the details and explore the significance of this partnership.

Introducing the Patch Partnership and Novocarbo Project

As part of our new environmental impact strategy, we are working with Patch to make contributions to climate technologies that are designed to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. In this post, we explore how we support Novocarbo, a European biochar company founded in 2017, leveraging the power of biochar to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). But what exactly is biochar, and how does it work?

Unveiling Biochar: Nature's Carbon Sequesterer

When organic matter is burned or left to decay, it releases carbon into the atmosphere as CO₂. Biochar projects circumvent this natural process by heating the organic materials (such as wood, agricultural waste or biomass) in the absence of oxygen (this process is called pyrolysis). Pyrolysis results in a stable form of carbon that can persist in the soil for centuries: biochar. When incorporated into agricultural land or forest ecosystems, biochar acts as a powerful carbon sink, effectively trapping CO₂ and mitigating its impact on the climate.

How Biochar Works in Removing Carbon

The process of carbon removal with biochar is relatively straightforward yet incredibly effective. As organic materials undergo pyrolysis, volatile gases and liquids are released, leaving behind a carbon-rich residue – biochar. When applied to soil, biochar not only enhances soil fertility and water retention, but also sequesters carbon, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere. This dual functionality makes biochar a valuable tool in the fight against climate change.

Why Biochar and Carbon Removal are Important

The importance of biochar and carbon removal cannot be overstated. As CO₂ levels continue to rise due to human activities, such as deforestation and fossil fuel combustion, the need for scalable solutions to reduce these emissions becomes increasingly urgent. Biochar offers a sustainable and cost-effective means of achieving this goal, while also providing additional benefits such as improved soil health and agricultural productivity.

Conclusion

The collaboration between refurbed and Patch, fueled by the innovative Novocarbo project, represents a significant step forward in the fight against climate change. By harnessing the power of biochar for carbon removal, we're not only reducing our environmental footprint, but also inspiring others to join us in building a more sustainable world. Together, let's embrace the power of refurbished tech and make a positive impact on the planet.

To find out more about all the projects we support have a look at our carbon removal overview.