Biochar Carbon Credit Project Developers: A Buyer's Guide to Sourcing Durable Carbon Removal
Biochar carbon removal has emerged as one of the most bankable categories in the voluntary carbon market. By pyrolyzing waste biomass at high temperatures in low-oxygen conditions, project developers lock carbon into a stable solid form that persists in soils for centuries—delivering verified, permanent CO₂ removal that meets the highest standards demanded by corporate net-zero commitments.
Market Scale and Growth
According to CDR.fyi, approximately 3.04 million tonnes of biochar carbon removal credits were contracted between 2022 and mid-2025, with 1.6 million tonnes purchased in H1 2025 alone—representing a 435% year-over-year increase from 2023 to 2024. The biochar carbon credit market is projected to grow from $304 million in 2025 to nearly $1.85 billion by 2032.
How Certification Works
Biochar credits are issued under rigorous third-party methodologies:
- Puro.earth
- The pioneer in biochar crediting since 2019, with over 20 certified suppliers across 13 countries. Issues CO₂ Removal Certificates (CORCs) verified by independent auditors. Reached 1 million CORCs issued as of March 2025.
- Verra (VM0044)
- Registered its first biochar project in October 2024. The VM0044 methodology was approved by ICVCM in 2025, providing mainstream registry access for biochar developers.
- Climate Action Reserve
- Offers U.S. and Canada-specific biochar protocols, approved by ICVCM alongside Puro.earth and Isometric methodologies.
Who Is Buying
The buyer landscape is concentrated among large technology and financial services companies. Microsoft signed a landmark 10-year, 1.24 million tonne offtake agreement with Exomad Green—the largest biochar carbon removal deal ever. Other significant buyers include Google, JPMorgan Chase, Swiss Re, and BCG, each contracting tens of thousands of tonnes annually.
Geographic Distribution of Developers
As of 2024, CDR.fyi tracked approximately 83 biochar carbon removal suppliers. Over 50% are based in Europe (Germany, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland), 27% in North America, and a growing share in the Global South—particularly Bolivia, Brazil, and Cameroon—where feedstock availability and lower production costs are driving rapid scale-up.
What to Look for in a Developer
| Criterion | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Registry certification | Puro.earth, Verra, or CAR ensures third-party MRV and credit integrity |
| Feedstock sourcing | Waste biomass (forestry residues, agricultural waste) avoids land-use concerns |
| Carbon content >80% | Higher fixed carbon = more durable sequestration per tonne of biochar |
| H:C ratio <0.4 | Indicates high thermal stability and multi-century persistence |
| Offtake track record | Existing corporate buyers signal commercial viability and credit quality |