Title : Climate mitigation through paludiculture biochar: Life cycle and techno-economic assessment of farm and commercial-scale systems
Abstract:
Paludiculture, the cultivation of biomass on rewetted peatlands is gaining attention as a sustainable land- use strategy that aligns with climate mitigation goals. This study presents an integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) of biochar production from paludiculture crops, evaluating both low- and high-grade biochar across farm-scale and commercial-scale systems. The selected biomass feedstocks, virgin wood, willow, and miscanthus were assessed for their environmental performance and economic viability when processed into biochar using pyrolysis technologies.
Results indicate that biochar production from paludiculture feedstocks delivers net-negative carbon emissions across all scales. Commercial-scale systems demonstrate greater overall efficiency due to improved energy integration and syngas recycling, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of biochar produced. In contrast, farm-scale production systems are more decentralised and offer opportunities for localised carbon sequestration but face higher labour and fuel costs. Despite this, they remain viable when supported by carbon credit schemes.
From a techno-economic perspective, the cost per tonne of CO?-equivalent (CO?e) removal emerges as a more meaningful metric than the cost per tonne of biochar. Commercial-scale systems achieve lower removal costs due to economies of scale, while farm-scale systems depend more heavily on the monetisation of carbon credits. Although low-grade biochar generally has higher carbon removal costs when only stable carbon is considered, its economic viability improves significantly when the labile carbon fraction and its 100-year sequestration potential are included in the analysis.
To support regional planning, a spatial optimisation model identifies 36 cost-optimal locations for commercial-scale biochar facilities. This configuration could produce nearly 2 million tonnes of biochar annually and remove over 2.4 million tonnes of CO?e at an average cost of £240 per tonne. The model prioritises minimising transport distances and maximising feedstock utilisation, thereby enhancing the logistical and economic efficiency of biochar deployment.
In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of paludiculture-based biochar systems to deliver significant climate benefits through scalable, regionally optimised infrastructure. These findings contribute to growing evidence that biochar can play a key role in climate policy frameworks, especially when integrated with peatland restoration and sustainable biomass production.
