Social Awareness as a Catalyst for Biochar Adoption in the Agricultural and Forestry Sectors

Janiszewska-Latterini, Dominika; Ortigueira, Joana; Lopes, Tiago; Gościańska-Łowińska, Julia; Augustyniak-Wysocka, Dobrochna; Leszczyszyn, Ewa; Nobre, Catarina

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.9/6135

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Authors

Janiszewska-Latterini, Dominika

Ortigueira, Joana

Lopes, Tiago

Gościańska-Łowińska, Julia

Augustyniak-Wysocka, Dobrochna

Leszczyszyn, Ewa

Nobre, Catarina

Abstract(s)

ABSTRACT: Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from the pyrolysis of organic matter, has garnered attention for its potential agricultural and environmental benefits, including soil improvement, enhanced crop yields and climate change mitigation. Despite its promise, biochar adoption has been hindered by limited social awareness, particularly in industrialised countries. This review explores the factors influencing biochar's acceptance in agriculture and forestry, focusing on the social aspects that affect its integration. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify studies on social awareness and acceptance, revealing significant barriers such as a lack of knowledge among farmers, high production costs and insufficient infrastructure. In industrialised countries, while technical research on biochar has progressed, farmers often remain unfamiliar with its benefits, and resistance to adoption is common. Studies show that social factors such as age, education level and access to funding play a crucial role in biochar adoption. Furthermore, a lack of government incentives and unclear regulatory frameworks exacerbate the challenge. Conversely, studies from lower-income countries suggest that small-scale, cost-effective biochar production systems may hold promise. The review also identifies strategies to enhance biochar's social acceptance, including targeted education programs, financial incentives and clearer regulatory standards. Despite varying levels of social awareness, the literature suggests that with increased outreach, biochar could significantly contribute to sustainable agricultural practices globally. This review underscores the need for further research into the social dimensions of biochar adoption and the implementation of policies to foster its widespread use.

Keywords

Circular economy Sustainable agriculture Sustainable forestry Biochar Pyrolysis

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.9/6135

Citation

Janiszewska-Latterini, D., Ortigueira, J., Lopes, T. F., Gościańska-Łowińska, J., Augustyniak-Wysocka, D., Leszczyszyn, E. & Nobre, C. (2025). Social Awareness as a Catalyst for Biochar Adoption in the Agricultural and Forestry Sectors. In: Global Change Biology Bioenergy, 2025, vol. 17(10), article e70077. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.70077