A new study published in Biochar presents a practical and regulation-compliant design for producing biochar on farms that could dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture while permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Agriculture contributes around 12 percent of the United Kingdom’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with manure management alone responsible for nearly 10 percent of the sector’s emissions. At the same time, large volumes of crop residues such as straw are often underutilized, creating missed opportunities for climate mitigation.
Researchers from the University of Leeds have developed and evaluated an integrated biochar production system that processes straw and manure separately through parallel pyrolysis lines. This design allows farms to comply with existing land application regulations, which currently prohibit the mixing of certain feedstocks, while improving energy efficiency through internal heat recovery.
Using the University of Leeds Research Farm as a case study, the team conducted a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis to evaluate environmental and financial performance over one year of operation.
The results are striking. The proposed system could produce 300 tonnes of biochar annually, sequester approximately 350 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, and reduce manure management emissions by 75 percent. In addition, surplus heat generated during pyrolysis could offset further emissions, avoiding an extra 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
“Biochar is often discussed as a promising carbon removal solution, but real-world farm implementation has been limited,” said lead author Yuzhou Tang. “Our study demonstrates that a regulation-compliant, farm-based system can simultaneously reduce emissions from manure, sequester stable carbon in soils, and improve energy use efficiency.”
Biochar is produced by heating biomass in a low-oxygen environment, creating a stable carbon-rich material that can be applied to soil. When properly produced, biochar can remain stable in soils for decades to centuries, effectively locking away carbon that would otherwise return to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide or methane.
One key innovation of the study is the separation of straw and manure processing. Manure typically contains high moisture levels, making it energy-intensive to treat. By using heat generated from straw pyrolysis to dry and process manure, the system reduces energy penalties while maintaining operational flexibility as residue availability changes over time.
The study also identified straw availability as the most influential factor affecting system performance. Variations in crop rotation and annual yields significantly impacted both carbon removal potential and cost effectiveness. When straw supply was insufficient, purchasing additional straw emerged as the most effective strategy for maintaining environmental performance.
Despite the strong environmental results, the economic analysis revealed challenges. The carbon abatement cost was estimated at £226 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent, primarily driven by capital investment, labor, and electricity costs. Producing biochar cost approximately £754 per tonne under current assumptions.
However, the researchers note that technological optimization, modular system design, supply chain improvements, and operational integration into farm management could substantially reduce costs over time.
“Our findings provide a realistic framework for scaling biochar within the agricultural sector,” Tang said. “With continued innovation and supportive policy, farm-based biochar systems could become a meaningful contributor to net zero targets.”
By addressing both regulatory and technical barriers, the study offers a practical pathway for integrating biochar into modern farming systems and highlights the trade-offs between cost, carbon removal, and system design decisions.
As governments seek durable carbon removal solutions to meet climate targets, farm-scale biochar systems may represent an important and adaptable tool for agricultural decarbonization.
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Journal Reference: Tang, Y., Ford, J. & Cockerill, T.T. Environmental and economic assessment of biochar production systems from agricultural residues. Biochar 8 , 24 (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00527-2
About Biochar
Biochar (e-ISSN: 2524-7867) is the first journal dedicated exclusively to biochar research, spanning agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications—such as bioenergy, environmental remediation, soil enhancement, climate mitigation, water treatment, and sustainability analysis. The journal serves as an innovative and professional platform for global researchers to share advances in this rapidly expanding field.
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Biochar
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Environmental and economic assessment of biochar production systems from agricultural residues
8-Feb-2026