Google Commits to Largest Biochar Carbon Removal Purchase in History

Google has taken a bold step in its sustainability journey, signing agreements for 200,000 tonnes of biochar-based carbon removal credits with Varaha, an India-based nature solutions innovator, and California-based Charm Industrial. This landmark deal, the largest of its kind, aligns with Google’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions and catalyze the growth of biochar production to combat climate change effectively.

What is Biochar?

Biochar, a stable carbon-rich product created by heating biomass like crop residue and wood in an oxygen-deprived environment, serves as a powerful tool for long-term carbon sequestration. When buried in soil, biochar not only locks away carbon for centuries but also enhances soil fertility, making it a dual-purpose climate solution.

Partner Highlights

➣ Varaha

• Founded in 2022, Varaha specializes in nature-based carbon removal, particularly involving smallholder farmers.
• The company's Gujarat facility uses Prosopis juliflora, an invasive woody species, as biomass feedstock. This process simultaneously reduces the ecological threat posed by the species while enriching soil through biochar application.
• Beyond carbon removal, Varaha’s initiatives uplift smallholder farmers by incorporating them into the biochar production chain and leveraging carbon finance.

Madhur Jain, Co-Founder and CEO of Varaha, commented:

“Google’s investment accelerates Varaha’s mission to mobilize smallholders, who manage 12% of global farmland, to drive planetary-scale carbon removal. This partnership is a leap forward in building the infrastructure for farmer-led climate action.”

➣ Charm Industrial

• Charm, a pioneer in bio-oil sequestration, is expanding its scope to include biochar production.
• Its pyrolysis-based process converts agricultural residues into bio-oil and biochar. While bio-oil provides long-term carbon storage, biochar offers immediate soil and ecosystem benefits.
• This marks Charm’s second agreement with Google, following a bio-oil-focused deal in 2023.

Peter Reinhardt, CEO of Charm, said:

“This partnership with Google is groundbreaking—the largest biochar purchase to date. Our polygeneration approach allows us to maximize the climate benefits of biochar and bio-oil.”

Why It Matters?

• These deals underline Google’s leadership in scaling innovative carbon removal solutions.
• By investing in biochar, Google not only advances its net-zero goals but also supports ecological restoration, agricultural resilience, and the fight against invasive species.

Google’s Carbon Removal Lead, Randy Spock, stated:

“This 200,000-tonne commitment reflects our vision to scale biochar production to a level that makes a tangible impact on global climate mitigation.”