Discover Biochar with IBI’s New Online Course

Biochar is a powerful tool for climate change mitigation, sustainable agriculture, and ecological resilience. Whether you’re new to the concept or looking to deepen your knowledge, the International Biochar Initiative’s new online course, All About Biochar: A Contemporary Industry Overview, offers a comprehensive guide to understanding biochar as a transformative technology and its applications. 

IBI’s online biochar education courses are designed to empower biochar professionals, farmers, carbon professionals, and more with the knowledge and skills to harness the incredible potential of biochar.

The All About Biochar course will guide you through the multifaceted advantages of biochar as a solution to climate change.

What Is Biochar?

At its core, biochar is a fine-grained, highly porous material that is made from biomass such as agriculture byproducts, forestry residues, and solid waste (sewage sludge). Biochar is made when biomass undergoes high-heat, limited-oxygen processes, i.e. via pyrolysis or gasification. 

As a climate change solution available here and now, sustainable biochar is produced from organic waste material to transform waste into value. The production of biochar not only removes carbon from the atmosphere, but also creates a valuable material for agriculture, land restoration, the built environment, and many other uses. 

Why Enroll in the All About Biochar Course?

All About Biochar offers a deep dive into the biochar industry, combining the latest research, real-world case studies, and exclusive content from IBI’s renowned Biochar Academy. Through engaging video lessons, interactive quizzes, and expert insights, you’ll explore biochar’s role in climate change mitigation, corporate decarbonization, and much more.

Key highlights of the course include:

• Video clips from industry leaders at IBI’s 2023 Biochar Academy
• Peer-reviewed research and articles that ground your learning in solid science
• Interactive quizzes and reflections to ensure you’re absorbing key concepts
• Community engagement opportunities through comment boards with your peers
• IBI certificate of professional learning to showcase your new expertise

“The IBI-USBI 2023 Global Biochar Market Report confirmed a key industry challenge: the lack of awareness about biochar and its co-benefits is a fundamental barrier to growth. IBI Education leverages a global network of expertise to engage, inform, and train international stakeholders through in-person and online learning to drive biochar market growth and opportunity.”

— Hannah Calloway, IBI Education Manager

What Will You Learn? Course Module Preview

1. Introduction to Biochar
In this module, you’ll start with the fundamentals of biochar. What exactly is biochar, and why is it gaining attention across industries? You’ll explore its environmental, social, and economic co-benefits, setting the stage for the more advanced topics to come. Whether you’re interested in sustainable farming or carbon removal, this module will provide the foundational knowledge you need.

2. Biochar and Climate Change Mitigation
Biochar isn’t just a soil amendment—it’s an intersectional climate change solution. This module delves into biochar’s research-backed global carbon removal potential and how it can play a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. You’ll also explore its applications in corporate decarbonization efforts and innovative uses like well-capping for methane mitigation.

3. Biochar Production & Properties
This module delves into the science and technology behind biochar production. You’ll start with an overview of how biochar is created, exploring the science behind key processes like pyrolysis and gasification. Learn about the various co-products that result from biochar production and how they contribute to sustainable economies. 

4. Biochar Application for Agriculture & Soil
Biochar’s most well-known application is in agriculture, where it enhances soil health and crop productivity. In this module, you’ll explore how biochar can be used for soil management, from improving nutrient retention to increasing water holding capacity. You’ll also learn about its benefits in livestock agriculture, where it can reduce odors and improve manure management. The module wraps up with a look at soil restoration in urban environments. 

5. Beyond Soil & Agriculture: Extensive Applications of Biochar
Biochar’s versatility extends far beyond agriculture. In this module, you’ll explore its applications in the built environment, where it can be used in construction materials to enhance insulation, water filtration, and even carbon removal. You’ll also dive into biochar’s role in pollution control and solid waste management, where it helps capture toxins, reduce landfill waste, and purify water. 

6. Biochar in Carbon Markets
As the world increasingly focuses on reducing carbon emissions, biochar is a key player in the voluntary carbon market. This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of biochar in carbon markets, from the unique properties that make biochar a valuable carbon removal technology to the standards, certifications, and methodologies that govern the market. 

7. Designing a Biochar Production Business
For those interested in turning biochar into a business, this module is a must. You’ll learn how to design a biochar production business, starting with selecting the right feedstocks and ensuring biochar quality and quantity. The module covers essential business levers like co-products, carbon credits, and financing models, providing you with a comprehensive guide to building a successful enterprise. 

Whether you’re a professional in the biochar industry or simply interested in learning more about the restorative potential of biochar, This IBI course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to contribute to the global biochar industry.

Register for All About Biochar today and start your journey into the world of biochar!