China Identifies Biochar as Major Low Cost Carbon Removal Tool Using Dedicated Bioenergy Crop Biomass

New research shows that using bioenergy crops for biochar can remove 1.88 billion tons of CO2 in China at a fraction of the cost of other carbon capture tech.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 20, 2026, 9:31 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Shenyang Agricultural University

Integrating Bioenergy Crops Into Carbon Neutrality Strategies

Researchers have identified a scalable and economically viable pathway for China to reach its carbon neutrality goals by transforming dedicated energy crops into biochar. While biochar has long been recognized as a stable, carbon-rich material capable of locking CO2 in soil for centuries, its deployment has historically been limited by a fragmented biomass supply. By shifting focus toward specialized bioenergy crops grown on abandoned or underutilized land, the study reveals a systematic approach to expanding carbon removal potential without competing with national food production.

Significant Cost Advantages Over Traditional Carbon Capture

One of the most striking findings of the research is the dramatic cost difference between biochar production and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage, known as BECCS. The study indicates that the integrated biochar system costs approximately $9.6 per ton of CO2 removed, whereas BECCS infrastructure requires roughly $90.9 per ton. This nearly tenfold price difference positions biochar as a far more practical and immediate solution for large-scale atmospheric carbon removal. According to the authors, the lower financial threshold is a critical factor for the rapid deployment necessary to meet mid-century climate targets.

Geographic Potential and Infrastructure Utilization

The research team evaluated the existing landscape of biomass power plants and transportation networks across China to determine the most effective regions for this strategy. Eastern and northeastern China emerged as the areas with the highest potential due to their established infrastructure and abundant biomass resources. By utilizing abandoned cropland for energy crops, these regions could contribute an initial carbon removal potential of 25.8 million tons of CO2 per year, a figure that is comparable to the output of traditional agricultural and forestry residues.