Our story
What is biochar and how can it help? Biochar is an organic, charcoal-like substance made by burning agricultural and forestry wastes in the absence of oxygen, via a process called pyrolysis. During the pyrolysis process the carbon, normally released into the atmosphere, is stored within the biochar, effectively extracting CO2 from the atmosphere.
My adventure with biochar began like many others, as just a fascination. After years of talking about saving the planet while sitting behind desks in London, I decided it was time to get my hands dirty. This is the story of how I ventured into the biochar industry and the numerous lessons I’ve learned along the way (and there’s a lot more still to learn!)
My introduction to biochar happened during my first season co-hosting a podcast about CDR, The Carbon Removal Show. Biochar captured my imagination. Biochar offered a more tangible approach for me personally. It not only sequesters carbon but promises a myriad of soil benefits, both immediate and impactful. I have ties to the British countryside and agriculture so this also helped.
I decided to take the plunge into entrepreneurship and launch Restord, a biochar venture from my family’s farm in Cornwall. Since then, I’ve faced numerous challenges, from understanding the science behind biochar to figuring out the financial and feedstock aspects of running a biochar project. Each step of the way has been a learning curve, filled with trials and errors and occasional breakthroughs.
One memorable moment was walking through a clover field in Wales, discussing biochar application with local farmers. We observed how areas treated with biochar showed significantly improved clover growth, both exciting and affirming. Aside from the yield benefits, I was introduced to other potential (less well-publicised) benefits of biochar, like combatting ash die-back. A disease ravaging ash trees in the UK, predicted to kill up to 80% of the species.
Experiences like these not only deepened my understanding but also fuelled my commitment.
The path hasn’t been smooth. From grappling with technical challenges, such as the acquisition of a pyrolysis machine, and bureaucratic hurdles like overcoming permitting. We’re starting with a 100t/CO2e pilot project and getting this financed has been another major hurdle. We’ve ended up blending a myriad of finance options from grant awards and pre-purchases to personal savings and crowdfund campaigns. There’s no straightforward way to get project financing here.
Despite the obstacles, the support from other founders, farmers, scientists, and even policy makers has been invaluable in getting us launched. Their insights and encouragement have been crucial in navigating the complex landscape of starting a CDR business in the UK.
I realised how hard this process is, how early the biochar and CDR landscape is (particularly in the UK), and wanted others to learn from my successes and failures. So we’ve launched a podcast: “Grounded: A Climate Startup Journey.” The podcast chronicles the highs and lows of my venture, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of setting up a biochar business. It’s a platform for dialogue, learning, and inspiring others to take action.
Looking forward, the journey is far from over. The need for effective carbon removal strategies grows more urgent by the day, and biochar has the potential to play a significant role in this global effort. Our initial focus is on improving UK farm systems and biomass waste management, currently a net emission source.
Whether you are a climate activist, a farmer interested in sustainable practices, or simply curious about biochar, there is a place for you in this conversation. Follow our journey by subscribing to “Grounded: A Climate Startup Journey,” available on all major platforms. Together, we can make a difference, one handful of biochar at a time.
Our advice
The list is endless... top of mind is the following:
- Don't let the financial models get in the way of getting setup with a small scale pilot project
- Climate grants are surprisingly open to pilot projects like these. Don't hesitate to jump on the phone with grant givers to explain what you're doing and understand whether you fit into their programmes
- COMMUNICATE. Get local stakeholders involved. We're fortunate to have the backing of Cornwall Council and other local businesses and this down to initiating early conversations as we've gone from conception to implementation
Our metrics
For us, success means two things.
Firstly, being able to accurately measure how much CO2 our pilot project has removed from the atmosphere. We're aiming to remove between 50-100tonnes CO2 during the pilot and will only achieve this throuhg rigorous lifecycle assessments of our process.
Secondly, results from our field trials. We're working with two local farmers and are setting up trials to measure the impact of biochar on their land. This will include measuring things like soil carbon content before and after as well as crop yields.
