Accessing Carbon Finance
If you have agricultural plant waste such as rubber wood or cinnamon or a fast-growing woody biomass like bamboo, we want to hear from you.
We provide you with the tools, technology & training to produce biochar and generate carbon credits.
Why?
As a steward of the land you know how important soil health is.
As a carbon farmer, you have an opportunity to be part of a solution that tackles climate change and improves your soil health.
What?
We have developed a methodology to audit the production and application of biochar to the soil.
This generates scientifically approved carbon credits allowing you to remove CO2 and get paid.
How?
When producing and applying biochar to your soils, CO2 is removed from the atmosphere for 100-1,000 years years.
A millenia-old technique used in agriculture across the globe to improve soil health.
Who?
Find out if you are eligible to become a Carbon Farmer by clicking the link and answering a few simple questions. It only takes 2 minutes!
Sri Lanka
In April 2021 the Sri Lankan government banned the import of chemical fertilisers overnight, citing economic and environmental concerns. What became immediately apparent was how addicted crops had become to fertilisers and the poor state of the soils they were surviving in. This led to a disastrous 60% drop in some crop yields.
Over the last year, Planboo have been working with large tea, cinnamon, bamboo and rubber plantations in Sri Lanka to produce biochar and boost compost production. We established our first project and developed our accredited methodology together with the EBC to enable landowners to start restoring soil health, improving crop yields, and providing much-needed foreign income.
This is an important time for economic recovery in Sri Lanka and Planboo is expanding to multiple projects across the country.
“Planboo is working with us to fix the planet and its people. We share a joint vision to protect the world to ensure the existence of all life for future generations. Their approach has provided us with the first accredited carbon removal credits made in Sri Lanka!”
– Izzadeen Ishafir, Sustainability Officer, EPP, Sri Lanka
Malawi
In late 2022 Planboo brought biochar carbon removal activities to Lilongwe, Malawi. Agriculture in Malawi relies on consistent rain to feed crop production. However the country is increasingly affected by recurring draughts causing severe food shortages and economic challenges.
Additionally, soil loss is a significant threat to Malawi’s agricultural development. Soil loss takes away from the fertility of soils leading to reduced agricultural productivity and increased need for chemical fertilisers.
Together with our local partners AfriBam, the project will produce 400 tonnes of organic biochar-enriched compost per year from bamboo, employing 50 people full-time across all related activities. The bamboo is readily available and when pyrolysed into biochar and mixed with compost the water holding capacity of soils increases, helping soils build resilience to extreme weather events.
FAQ
Our European Biochar Certified methodology is open to landowners, stewards and biochar producers who operate in the tropics.
If you have access to sustainable biomass we want to hear from you. If you are eligible, we will provide you with the tools, technology and training for you to generate carbon credits.
Biochar is a carbon rich material similar to charcoal, made by cooking biomass at a higher temperature with limited oxygen in a process called pyrolysis. The carbon in biochar resists degradation and can remain in soils for thousands of years. It’s found in soils throughout the world as a result of forest fires or historic soil management practices. It is an indigenous practice which has been used in the Amazon for over 2,000 years, known as terra preta (black earth) in Portuguese.
Biochar’s unique properties, porous structure and alkaline pH means it is well suited as a soil supplement in degraded soils. The application of biochar mixed with compost has been proven in multiple cases to increase crop yields, improve the water holding capacity of soils thus increasing resistance to drought and heavy rainfalls. This promotes the growth of soil microorganisms and can reduce nitrate leaching.
You need a sustainable source of biomass and pyrolysis equipment. We recommend starting with the Kontiki kiln. It’s easy to build, straightforward to operate and doesn’t cost the Earth. We will send you the design, and help you set up, just get in touch!
* Minimum 250 tonnes of sustainably sourced biomass per year
* Pyrolysis kiln
* Compost for mixing with the biochar
* Land for applying the biochar compost mix
* Willingness to be the change you want to see in the world!
Sustainable biomass is either
i) biomass sourced from agricultural plant waste that would be burnt or discarded,
ii) fast-growing and regenerative woody biomass such as bamboo
iii) invasive plant species, or
iv) biomass from storm damage
This depends on your local situation, but it ranges between US$ 150-300 / tonne of biochar. In order to calculate earnings we need to understand the financial feasibility of your project with and without carbon finance.
Additionality is a key factor in selling any carbon credit. This means that the carbon finance paid has to be necessary to make your project commercially viable.
We are a passionate and innovative team with a whole heap of global experience.
Our business is founded on the principles of win-win relationships and we operate at the forefront of the growing carbon market to sell carbon credits and help landowners and farmers improve their soils.