Sabah biochar potential: Expert says carbon credits and soil benefits could drive economic opportunity

A recent article from the Daily Express Malaysia reports that Sabah could profit from biochar production, according to an expert. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance made from burning organic matter in low oxygen, which locks carbon into a stable form. The expert argues that Sabah's agricultural waste and forestry residues provide a large feedstock base for biochar, which can then be sold as a soil amendment or used to generate carbon credits. This could create a new revenue stream for the state while helping to sequester carbon. The article highlights that biochar projects can qualify for carbon credits under voluntary carbon market standards, potentially attracting international buyers. However, it does not specify the scale of the opportunity, the cost of production, or the verification requirements for credits. For the carboncredit.io community, this raises questions about the practical economics of biochar in a tropical setting and whether the infrastructure exists to scale production. The story is worth reading as a case study in nature based carbon removal outside of forestry. Readers should note that biochar's carbon credit potential depends on rigorous monitoring and certification, which the article does not address. The expert's claims are plausible but need backing with data on feedstock availability, pyrolysis costs, and market prices for credits. This is a reminder that carbon removal projects often face hurdles in measurement and verification before they can deliver real climate impact.