The Role of the Cacao Plant

At the heart of this discussion is the cacao tree, which utilizes photosynthesis to convert water and atmospheric carbon dioxide into sugars, powered by sunlight. These sugars fuel the plant's energy needs and serve as building blocks for its roots, trunk, leaves, and fruit—hence the saying that trees are constructed from air.

Typically, the carbon captured by the plant doesn’t remain locked away indefinitely. Upon the plant’s death, the decomposition process or digestion leads to a release of carbon back into the atmosphere in the forms of carbon dioxide and methane. This transient storage of carbon means that simply planting more trees won't sufficiently mitigate climate change.

However, humans have ingeniously devised a method to extend the carbon storage capability of plants. By heating biomass (organic waste) to 600 degrees Celsius (1,112 Fahrenheit) in an oxygen-free environment—a process known as pyrolysis—we can create biochar. This process forms strong carbon bonds with elements other than hydrogen or oxygen, effectively rendering them inert.

The Impact of Biochar

The biochar produced can be utilized as a fertilizer, as it releases nutrients locked in the original biomass. Once incorporated into the soil, the carbon can remain stored for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. This technology is incredibly effective; one tonne of biochar can fertilize an area of approximately 4,356 square feet (0.1 acres) and sequester between 2.5 and 3 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Moreover, the pyrolysis process generates biogas, providing a carbon-neutral energy source—each tonne of biochar can yield around 5,700 watts of energy. The IPCC estimates that this method could potentially sequester up to 2.6 billion metric tonnes of CO2 each year!

While 2.6 billion metric tonnes corresponds to only 7.2% of global emissions, it could play a pivotal role in achieving net-zero emissions in the future.

The Connection Between Cacao and Climate Solutions

Despite the simplicity of biochar technology, it comes with a hefty price tag of around $1,070 per tonne, making large-scale implementation challenging. To make this feasible, we need a high-value crop that produces a significant amount of waste biomass. This is where cacao enters the picture! Approximately 80% of the cacao harvest consists of waste products, such as cacao pods and bean husks, which are typically discarded. Given the soaring demand for cacao, the economic incentives are strong, making it an ideal candidate for biochar production.

In 2020, approximately 4.69 million tonnes of chocolate were produced, resulting in about 18.76 million tonnes of biomass waste. This could translate to the production of 6.6 million tonnes of biochar, capable of sequestering up to 19.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide! Essentially, for every kilogram of chocolate consumed, around 4.2 kilograms of carbon dioxide could be captured.

Challenges Ahead

However, significant obstacles remain. Most cacao farms are located in tropical developing nations, and these farms are often small, family-run operations that struggle financially, which complicates on-site biochar production. Consequently, transporting biomass to processing plants for biochar production and then redistributing it back to farms for use as fertilizer creates a considerable carbon footprint, undermining the intended benefits of the biochar process.

This is where Circular Carbon, a Germany-based company, steps in. Cacao beans are shipped in their husks to maintain freshness and are processed into chocolate in factories in more developed nations. Circular Carbon collaborates with chocolate factories to convert cacao husks into biochar, which can then be utilized as fertilizer in European farms or even as a low-carbon concrete ingredient. While this biochar doesn't directly offset carbon due to the extensive transportation involved, it does significantly mitigate the climate impact associated with chocolate production.

The Future of Biochar and Chocolate

The goal is to enhance biochar technology and reduce production costs. Additionally, they aim to sell carbon credits for captured carbon dioxide, making this venture economically viable. Future plans may include establishing more processing sites and possibly creating biochar facilities adjacent to cacao farms for greater impact, utilizing other biomass sources like wheat or oat stems.

Although it may take time for the biochar industry to reach the ambitious target of capturing 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, chocolate could be the catalyst for launching this transformative technology. The prospect of atoning for our historical climate transgressions by indulging in chocolate is an exciting notion. As we look to the future, I know I’ll be doing my part—will you?

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Originally published on Planet Earth & Beyond

Sources — USU, Reuters, BBC, Smithsonian, GitNux, Elsevier, Jagran Josh, UCL, Le Monde, Earthly Biochar, The Economic Times, Myself, Phys.org