As the issue of carbon emissions becomes increasingly severe, reducing carbon footprint has been a focal point of global attention. Among the measures to reduce carbon emissions, biochar has attracted considerable interest as a sustainable solution. Read on to learn formation principle of a carbon footprint and how biochar plays a crucial role in reducing carbon footprint.
Carbon footprint is a measure of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, product, service or activity during its life cycle. These emissions are usually expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e). It covers greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). The calculation of a carbon footprint helps quantify the impact of human activities on climate change. It is the basis for developing emission reduction strategies and achieving carbon neutrality goals.
According to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), carbon emissions are divided into three scopes (Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3) to help companies identify and manage greenhouse gas emissions from different sources.
The following will make a detailed analysis of the carbon footprint of some key industries.
The synthesis of nitrogen fertilizers requires high temperatures and pressures, consuming large amounts of fossil fuels, with emissions of 2.2–2.5 tons of CO₂ per ton of ammonia. Pesticide production involves complex organic synthesis and the use of solvents and catalysts, emitting 1.5–2.0 kg of CO₂ equivalent per kilogram produced.
Polyethylene (HDPE/LDPE) agricultural films made from petrochemical materials (e.g., ethylene) have a carbon footprint of 2.6–2.9 kg CO₂e per kilogram during production, from raw material extraction to factory manufacturing. After disposal (e.g., burning, landfilling, or natural degradation), these films also release CO₂.
Forest soils and vegetation store approximately 123–243 tons of carbon per hectare. However, when converted to farmland, the average carbon loss is around 100–135 tons per hectare (equivalent to 367–496 tons of CO₂ per hectare). Additionally, the area loses the ability to sequester 2.2 tons of CO₂ per hectare annually.
Draining and cultivating organic soil in wetlands (such as peatlands) causes the organic matter to decompose, releasing large amounts of CO₂ and N₂O. In 2021, this process alone produced about 0.8 Gt CO₂e in emissions, accounting for nearly 20% of global land-use change emissions.
Intensive farming, over-fertilization, and soil erosion lead to soil degradation and structural damage. As a result, approximately 124 million tons of organic carbon (equivalent to about 455 million tons of CO₂) are lost globally each year. Soil degradation severely diminishes the soil’s carbon sequestration potential and productivity.
The fuel consumption of logging machinery (e.g., harvesters, chainsaws) and timber transportation equipment (e.g., forwarders, tractors) directly produces CO₂ emissions. Additionally, the complexity of forest terrain (e.g., steep slopes, wetlands) increases the difficulty of mechanical operations, leading to higher energy consumption and emissions per unit of work.
Fuel emissions from vehicles used to transport roundwood or wood chips by road or rail are the largest single source of forestry carbon footprint. Short-distance transport from the logging site to temporary storage areas relies on trains, heavy diesel trucks, and tractors, all of which are heavily dependent on fossil fuels.
Open burning of logging residues (branches, bark) directly releases CO₂ and CH₄, with approximately 2–5 tons of CO₂ equivalent emitted per hectare. Landfilling these residues generates greenhouse gases through microbial decomposition. If forestry waste is left to accumulate, it poses a fire risk, potentially becoming a carbon source.
In recent years, excessive logging, the conversion of natural forests to plantations, and the conversion of forest land to construction areas have caused significant damage to forest structure and function. This has led to the loss of carbon stored in the original vegetation, resulting in a net decrease in forest carbon stocks and a significant increase in the forest carbon footprint.
Since the 21st century, forest fire carbon emissions have exceeded 100 billion tons. Forest fires release 50–100 tons of CO₂ per hectare of burned area. After a fire, burned trees decompose or rot, continuing to release carbon. Vegetation recovery in burned areas is slow, and the carbon sequestration capacity is reduced for decades.
Ruminant animals produce and release CH₄ through the fermentation process in their stomachs, particularly due to the action of methane-producing archaea. On average, a single dairy cow emits 70–120 kg of CH₄ annually. It is estimated that global enteric fermentation from livestock produces about 4 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent each year.
Under anaerobic conditions, manure storage and handling release CH₄ and N₂O. Liquid manure management systems (e.g., biogas pits, septic tanks) are the largest sources of CH₄ emissions, while solid composting systems primarily emit N₂O. Global manure management in livestock farming accounts for approximately 2 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent in annual emissions.
This process involves steps such as harvesting, grinding, silage making, drying, mixing, and pelleting of feed crops. These operations require diesel and electricity, leading to direct or indirect CO₂ emissions.
Operations at livestock farms include heating, ventilation, lighting, milking machines, and automatic feeding systems. These activities generate indirect emissions from fuel combustion and electricity consumption.
Growing feed crops converts natural ecosystems into farmland for crops like soybeans and alfalfa. This type of land use change reduces the carbon sequestration capacity of ecosystems. For instance, intensive farming practices can lead to a 0.5%–1% annual decrease in soil carbon storage.
High grazing density reduces vegetation cover on grasslands, causing soil organic carbon loss and increasing the risk of wind and water erosion. Overgrazing results in approximately 500 million tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually, reducing the carbon sequestration capacity of grazing systems by 30%–50%.
In cement production, limestone (mainly composed of CaCO₃) is heated at high temperatures to decompose into CaO and CO₂. This process directly contributes about 60% of the carbon emissions from the cement industry. With global cement production continuing to rise (reaching 340 million tons in 2011), total emissions have also increased due to larger scale production.
The fuel (e.g., coal, biomass) burned in rotary kilns to heat raw materials generates CO₂, accounting for 40% of total cement production emissions. Modern high-efficiency kilns have reduced energy consumption by 50% compared to traditional wet kilns, but dependence on fossil fuels in cement production persists.
The steel production relies on the blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace process. In this process, coke is used as a reductant to react with iron ore (Fe₂O₃) to produce pig iron, releasing large amounts of CO₂. Steel smelting is responsible for about 2.6 billion tons of CO₂ annually, accounting for 7% of global energy-related emissions.
Since steel production facilities are often located far from consumer markets, transportation logistics play a significant role. Global steel logistics are primarily powered by diesel (over 60% of road transportation). The transportation of steel contributes 3%–5% of the annual carbon emissions in the steel industry (approximately 7.8–13 million tons of CO₂).
Heavy machinery such as bulldozers and cranes relies on diesel fuel. Each liter of diesel burned produces 2.68 kg of CO₂. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), large construction sites consume over 5,000 liters of fuel daily, resulting in annual emissions of 50 tons of CO₂.
Wood, plastic, and other organic waste generated during demolition or new construction are sent to landfills, where they decompose anaerobically, releasing CH₄. Each ton of mixed construction waste landfilled releases about 0.5 tons of CO₂ equivalent. This process results in a global loss of about 120 million tons of carbon sequestration capacity annually.
As global attention to climate change grows, governments and international organizations are implementing stricter environmental policies and goals. For example, the Paris Agreement calls for nations to take action to limit global warming and promote green, low-carbon development. Many countries have already implemented carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes or emissions trading systems, which directly impact business operating costs. To comply with these regulations and avoid potential fines, enterprises must find ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
Reducing the carbon footprint often means improving resource efficiency and reducing energy consumption, which can directly translate into cost savings. For instance, optimizing production processes, using renewable energy, and improving logistics efficiency can lower operational costs. In terms of supply chain management, more companies are beginning to demand low-carbon products and services from their suppliers. This means that enterprises effectively managing their carbon footprint will have a competitive edge in the market.
Modern consumers are increasingly concerned with environmental protection and social responsibility, preferring to choose brands that embrace sustainability. Therefore, actively taking steps to reduce carbon footprints not only enhances a brand’s image but also attracts environmentally-conscious consumers. Moreover, a strong brand reputation can help companies gain investor trust and support, especially as ESG investing becomes more popular. In other words, reducing carbon footprint is the key to a enterprise’s sustainable transformation.
It is estimated that plants globally absorb approximately 600 billion tons of carbon annually through photosynthesis, of which 10% can be converted into waste biomass. Biomass, once detached from its growth environment, typically undergoes natural decomposition. This means that each year, about 60 billion tons of carbon are in an unstable state. Moreover, human activities such as burning or composting accelerate the decomposition process of biomass. Some carbon elements in biomass are converted into carbon dioxide (CO2) or methane (CH4). This leads to an increase in carbon footprint. The following is a schematic diagram illustrating the carbon footprint of biomass.
Biochar is produced by the pyrolysis of biomass under high temperatures and low oxygen conditions. In the biochar machine, moisture and volatile organic compounds in the biomass are removed, leaving behind stable carbonaceous residue. The production of biochar converts unstable biomass into recalcitrant carbon. It can persist in the environment over centuries. High-quality biochar has the following characteristics：
In recent years, biochar has become a representative of efficient carbon emission reduction tools. Its stable solid carbon structure can store biomass carbon for a long time. In addition, its porous properties can inhibit the production of potent GHGs in anaerobic environments. At the same time, as a low-carbon alternative, biochar can reduce dependence on industrial raw materials and agricultural inputs in high-carbon emission industries. It achieves a full-cycle carbon footprint reduction effect through the synergistic mechanism of “carbon fixation – emission suppression – substitution”. The following details how biochar can reduce carbon footprint for several typical industries:
As a leading expert in recycling, Beston Group is dedicated to providing innovative solutions for reducing carbon footprints. Our advanced equipment and tailored solutions have enabled numerous clients to significantly lower their carbon emissions. If you’re interested in sustainable waste recycling, feel free to reach out to us for a customized solution.