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Exploring negative emission potential of biochar to achieve carbon neutrality goal in China

Author

Listed:
  • Xu Deng

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Fei Teng

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Minpeng Chen

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Zhangliu Du

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Bin Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Renqiang Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Pan Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Limiting global warming to within 1.5 °C might require large-scale deployment of premature negative emission technologies with potentially adverse effects on the key sustainable development goals. Biochar has been proposed as an established technology for carbon sequestration with co-benefits in terms of soil quality and crop yield. However, the considerable uncertainties that exist in the potential, cost, and deployment strategies of biochar systems at national level prevent its deployment in China. Here, we conduct a spatially explicit analysis to investigate the negative emission potential, economics, and priority deployment sites of biochar derived from multiple feedstocks in China. Results show that biochar has negative emission potential of up to 0.92 billion tons of CO2 per year with an average net cost of US$90 per ton of CO2 in a sustainable manner, which could satisfy the negative emission demands in most mitigation scenarios compatible with China’s target of carbon neutrality by 2060.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu Deng & Fei Teng & Minpeng Chen & Zhangliu Du & Bin Wang & Renqiang Li & Pan Wang, 2024. "Exploring negative emission potential of biochar to achieve carbon neutrality goal in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-45314-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45314-y
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