In an effort to galvanize the necessary coordination to create a sustainable Pyrolysis-Biochar-Bioenergy Industry, a 2-day virtual convening event on biochar research and commercialization was held in March 2022. Discussions at the convening reflected broad agreement that building a pyrolysis biochar and bioenergy industry is one of the most promising near-term strategies for carbon removal. Sustainable fit-for-purpose biochar integrated in soil health management systems has great potential to address climate change, build the productivity and resilience of farms and forests, and create jobs and opportunity across rural America. Scaling Biochar Research & Commercialization for Agriculture & Conservation Benefits: A Summary of a Stakeholder Convening was published summarizing the event and insights from stakeholder engagement. This complementary whitepaper, published by National Center for Appropriate Technology, American Farmland Trust, and the US Biochar Initiative, presents policy recommendations derived from the convening. Building a sustainable pyrolysis biochar bioenergy industry will require a coordinated, multi-faceted strategy. Supportive public policy is needed to prompt investment in production capacity and development of markets. Convening participants stressed that commercially relevant results are needed in the next five years. We cannot wait 50 years to realize the potential of biochar. The recommendations are presented to meet that challenge.
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