EUROPEAID - BIOCHARPLUS - Energy, health, agricultural and environmental benefits from biochar use: building capacities in ACP Countries.

Seizing the opportunity offered by the widespread availability of feedstock (agricultural bio-wastes), the simplicity of converting biomass into biochar through pyrolysis with Elsa’s stoves, the low level of economic investment required, the high demand for charcoal as cooking fuel and the increasing demand for smoke-free cooking stoves, the project will channel the production of biochar - around energy clusters - into a sustainable and eco-friendly business opportunity for local communities. Biochar Plus improves the capacities of developing countries to absorb and use biochar technology, knowledge of which is readily available and promotes socio-economic development of families and communities. It also stimulates the development of specific biochar-related policies and incentive schemes, and builds the technical, entrepreneurial and scientific capacities of all stakeholders involved. The development of four energy clusters is expected to reduce anthropogenic pressure on forested areas and increase the soil fertility of cropland : - Producing and selling biochar stoves. - Producing and selling the fuel produced with locally available feedstock (pellets). - Collecting and distributing the biochar. - Receiving carbon credits and selling them in the international carbon markets.