Environmental and economic spatial analysis system for biochar production – Case studies in the East of England and the East Midlands

Abstract

Biochar is made from organic materials and plays an important role in greenhouse gas removal (GGR) and achieving net-zero target. However, economic feasibility has become a primary constraint hindering the large-scale production of biochar. Existing research lacks consideration of practical factors such as feedstock supply, pricing, and factory scale, and cannot accurately evaluate the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction effect and corresponding costs at scale. We develop a space-based environmental economic model to quantify the impact of feedstock supply and plant strategies on costs and benefits. The results show that biochar production in the East of England and the East Midlands could achieve significant net GHG reduction and GGR benefits. Environmental benefits are not related to factory strategy but are positively correlated with feedstock supply strategy. Biochar production imposes additional financial burdens that are affected by feedstock supply and factory strategy. The main factors influencing biochar scalability are the quantity and pricing of feedstock and the price of byproducts. Spatial heterogeneity significantly influences the unit cost of GGR benefits. Compared to previous studies, spatial analysis provides a more detailed understanding of the costs associated with scaling up biochar production and the spatial distribution of production costs. This has crucial implications for biochar promotion and the implementation of effective policies.