UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 2025 7th August

UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 2025 7th August

Question

Biochar has emerged as a promising climate mitigation tool with multi-sectoral applications. Yet, its adoption in India remains limited. Discuss the environmental and economic potential of biochar and identify the key challenges that must be addressed for its large-scale deployment. (10 marks, 150 words) 

Model Answer

Introduction:  

  • Biochar is a carbon-rich, stable form of charcoal produced by pyrolysis of biomass (such as agricultural residue or organic waste) under low oxygen conditions. It acts as a long-term carbon sink and has multiple co-benefits in agriculture, energy, and construction.  

 Environmental and Economic Potential of Biochar: 

  • Carbon Sequestration and Climate Mitigation: Biochar can retain carbon in soils for 100–1000 years, effectively locking CO₂ away from the atmosphere. 

  • According to CEEW (2023), utilising 30–50% of India’s surplus biomass could remove ~0.1 Gt CO₂e annually, nearly 3% of India’s total emissions. 

  • Waste-to-Resource Conversion: India generates ~600 million tonnes of crop residue and ~60 million tonnes of solid waste annually, much of which is burned or dumped. 

  • Converting this into biochar tackles both air pollution and waste burden, especially in northern states like Punjab and Haryana. 

  • Renewable Energy from By-products: Biochar production yields syngas and bio-oil. Syngas can generate 8–13 TWh of electricity, which is equivalent to 0.5–0.7% of India’s annual power needs. While Bio-oil can displace up to 8% of diesel/kerosene consumption, reducing crude oil import dependency. 

  • Soil Health and Agricultural Productivity: Biochar improves water retention, nutrient use efficiency, and microbial activity. 

  • Reduces fertiliser usage by 10–20% and boosts crop yield by 10–25%. 

  • Potential in Construction and Wastewater Treatment:  

  • Adding 2–5% biochar in concrete improves mechanical strength and acts as a stable carbon sink (115 kg CO₂/m³). 

  • 1 kg of biochar can treat 200–500 litres of wastewater, a scalable solution for India’s untreated sewage problem. 

 Challenges Hindering Large-Scale Adoption: 

  • Weak Institutional and Policy Support 

  • Biochar is underrepresented in key schemes like the National Bio-Energy Mission or crop residue management frameworks. 

  • No unified policy convergence between agriculture, climate, and energy sectors. 

  • Lack of Carbon Credit Recognition 

  • Absence of standardised Monitoring, Reporting, Verification (MRV) systems delays inclusion in carbon markets. 

  • Unlike technologies like DACCS (Direct Air Capture), biochar lacks structured pathways for monetisation through carbon credits. 

  • Technological and Supply Chain Barriers 

  • Pyrolysis technology is still evolving; high-capital costs and low economies of scale dissuade rural deployment. 

  • Biomass feedstock varies regionally; lack of standards affects product quality. 

  • Market and Awareness Deficit 

  • Farmers and stakeholders lack awareness of biochar’s co-benefits. 

  • No scalable business models or rural entrepreneurship frameworks exist for decentralized production. 

 Way Forward:  

  • Institutional Mainstreaming:  Recognise biochar as a carbon removal method in the Indian Carbon Market, enabling credit generation. 

  • R&D and Standardisation: Region-specific protocols for feedstock, pyrolysis, and biochar quality must be developed. 

  • Decentralised Production and Job Creation: Village-level biochar units can create ~5.2 lakh rural jobs, fostering green entrepreneurship. 

  • Awareness and Capacity Building: Targeted training for farmers and local governments through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and panchayats. 

 Conclusion:  

  • Biochar is not a silver bullet, but its multi-sectoral applications and low-tech adaptability make it a valuable tool for India’s climate and development goals. With proactive policy integration, standardisation, and rural empowerment, biochar can transition from a niche solution to a national climate asset.