Low Tech Biochar Production Could Be a Highly Effective Nature-Based Solution for Climate Change Mitigation in the Developing World.

Abstract AimTo compare the climate change mitigation benefits of nature-based solutions for management of municipal green waste with conventional management. MethodsThis study analyzed the carbon footprint of managing one ton of municipal green waste (MGW) in Lima Peru under 4 different scenarios: 1) Final disposal in authorized landfill, 2) Final disposal in informal landfill, 3) composting and 4) biochar production using a low-cost low tech Kon-Tiki reactor. ResultsThe results demonstrate the very clear potential for climate change mitigation from biochar production using low tech and therefore accessible technology in a typical developing world context. The carbon footprint of producing biochar was lower than for composting and biochar and compost both had carbon footprints significantly lower than waste management achieved via landfilling. ConclusionWe argue that the standards used by nascent platforms for trading carbon removal credits generated by biochar should be expanded to include small scale market participants in the so-called developing world. Waste management in the developing world presents significant challenges but often starts from a very low base which means there is very large potential for reducing emissions as well as sequestering carbon.