Climate and Carbon
Oral Presentation
Novel carbon accounting methodology for place based biochar
Wihan Bekker
Ikhala Impact

Amidst escalating wildfire crises, the critical task of managing stranded biomass arising from vegetation and fuel load management activities is more urgent than ever. Traditional methods often lean towards the incineration of this biomass, a tactic that misses the opportunity presented by biochar production — a strategy that not only reduces wildfire hazards but also offers considerable environmental benefits.

In response to this, a new initiative has been developed to monetize the carbon benefits of biochar production. This effort effectively subsidizes the conversion process through a new carbon accounting methodology, uniquely devised for place-based biochar. This innovative strategy, enriched by invaluable insights from the Biochar in the Woods (BIW) network, employs the "CHARR" app for in-field measurements. The app aims to digitize and standardize the monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) for smaller projects to be aggregated and to access funding, whether in the form of carbon funding, grants, or other results-based funding.

Furthermore, this endeavor aims to assist companies in conveying their commitment to environmental preservation through the "Contribution Claim Model." This model provides a structured means to quantify and communicate the carbon and ecological benefits derived from their financial contributions, creating a narrative focused on contributing to positive environmental impact rather than simply "offsetting" emissions.

At the heart of this initiative is the CM002 methodology developed by Ikhala Impact and Wilson Biochar, an intricate set of guidelines serving as a carbon accounting protocol specifically for place-based biochar production. By adopting this methodology's principles, projects can manage and repurpose stranded biomass into biochar.