Biochar has been lauded for its potential to mitigate climate change, increase crop yields and reverse land degradation in tropical agricultural systems. Despite its benefits, confusion persists about whether the use of biochar is financially feasible as a soil ameliorant. A comprehensive review of previous studies of biochar's financial feasibility was performed (33 relevant publications). Financial performance appraisal (US$ Mg-1 biochar) and greenhouse gas abatement cost estimates (US$ Mg-1 CO2e) were used to gauge the financial feasibility of the biochar scenarios within each publication. Ordinary Least Squares Multiple Linear Regression was used to evaluate the predictive capacity of scenario financial feasibility as dependent on variables including national income levels, This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. climatic conditions, pyrolysis technology scales and pyrolysis capabilities. Analysis revealed that scenarios where biochar was applied targeting yield increases in high-value crops in tropical locations with low incomes and biochar-focused small-scale production, were overall significant predictors of biochar scenario financial feasibility. We find that the average abatement cost of biochar applied in 'lower-income countries' is-US$58 Mg-1 CO2e (financially feasible) compared with +US$93 Mg-1 CO2e in 'higher-income countries' (not financially feasible). Climate policies of lower-income countries in tropical climates should consider biochar as an input for small-scale climate smart agriculture to address land degradation in tropical agricultural systems. Based on recent evidence it is suggested that biochar fertilizers, a value-added biochar product, could present a commercially feasible pathway for biochar value-chain development in higher-income countries.
Background Recurring wildfires on degraded peatlands throughout Central Kalimantan have resulted in severe economic and social impacts for local people along with globally significant environmental impacts. The interdependence between the livelihoods of local villagers and wildfire is not well understood in areas of degraded peat in proximity to urban environments. Aims The aim of the study was to consider fire hotspots in two villages close to the regional capital of Palangka Raya. These were Kalampangan, a Javanese transmigrant farming village, and Tumbang Nusa, a Dayaknese fishing village. Methods A system dynamics model was constructed to study the factors contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and wildfire extent resulting from long-term peatland degradation. The model was used to analyse existing policy scenarios where degraded peatlands are cultivated in perpetuity, and then consider hypothetical future policy scenarios where efforts are made to rewet and rehabilitate peatland while alternative livelihoods are enabled. Conclusions Analysis reveals that the assumption within the model of unconstrained alternative livelihoods is insufficient to facilitate full rewetting where the incumbent livelihood is reliant on drained peatland. Implications Only when livelihood alternatives displace drained peatland cultivation is full rewetting and sustained reduction in fire risk achievable in both villages.
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