Invasive weed becomes the solution to climate change - German NGO sets up the first water hyacinths biochar production

Lagos, Nigeria is the location of the first water hyacinths biochar production. It is run by the local entrepreneur Peter Bassey. He turns the invasive weed into a valuable soil enhancer. This process reduces and binds 21 tons of CO2 daily. His business connects climate protection with job creation. The model was developed in Germany. The production in Nigeria is the pilot-project of the German organization Char2Cool e.V.

“Everything was covered with water hyacinths, I couldn’t even see the water anymore. The fishermen from our community could no longer work.” This is how Peter Bassey describes the situation before his collaboration with Char2Cool. The water hyacinths invade water bodies all over Africa. The dense plant covers block the access to the water, harbours and bring hydroelectric power plants to an halt.Yet the team behind Char2Cool does not see problematic weed, but unused biomass.

March 2018 is when Char2Cool started forming. Since mid-2019, the team produced tangible results. Katharina Danner, Walter Danner and Olivia Thierley developed the Char2Cool-Model. The result is a business concept that local partners can use to build up their own production with minimal starting capital. The model has already become a success: Peter Bassey was convinced of the potential of the Char2Cool-model. He invested 50$ and built his first Char2Cool-Kiln to start the biochar production. His one-man operation has turned into a business with two employees within four months. “I produced my fifth ton of biochar last week.” says Peter Bassey “I can earn money while removing the water hyacinths from our rivers. The fishers really appreciate my work.”

Char2Cool has its focus on job creation, but also climate protection. The production of one ton of water hyacinths biochar prevents and binds around 300 tons of CO2. This is equivalent to the yearly carbon footprint of 30 Germans.

The main reason for the CO2 prevention are the water hyacinths. When water hyacinths die off, they sink to the bottom of the lakes and rivers where there is no oxygen. The decomposing water hyacinths emit methane. Methane is a greenhouse gas which is much more harmful than CO2. The harvesting and utilization of the plants prevents methane. This way the water hyacinths are no longer a climate killer but a climate protector.

The resulting water hyacinths biochar further contributes to the binding of CO2. Biochar is a permanent carbon sink and versatile soil enhancer. It has a porous structure which can take up and store water and nutrients. “The worse the soil, the bigger the effect of biochar.” says Olivia Thierley. “In Ghana, farmers got four times their usual maize yield after applying biochar. It is hard to grasp how this financial boost means for the farmers. Imagine how your life would change, if your income was quadrupled from tomorrow onwards.”

In Nigeria the biochar application is already causing an increase in plant growth, but there are also challenges. The local farmers can not take the financial risk of trying a new soil enhancer. For now, Peter Bassey distributes his biochar free of charge while Char2Cool finances the production. “Our model is designed to have the productions make profit by themselves. Right now we are missing the local market.”, is the statement of Walter Danner. Char2Cool is planning to change that by showing farmers how biochar can increase their crop yield.

For now, Peter Bassey is distributing the biochar for free while Char2Cool finances the production. “Our model is designed for producers to earn their money with biochar, but right now we are missing the local market”, is the statement of Walter Danner. The team behind Char2Cool is going to change that. The next step is to set-up a biochar learning center, and demonstration site as well as giving workshops to local farmers to show how biochar can increase crop yields. This will create a demand and a market for water hyacinths biochar.

Developing the local market is part of a bigger vision. “Our final goal is to give an incentive to copy the idea. As soon as there is demand for biochar, other entrepreneurs like Peter will start producing to earn a living. We will support them to establish their decentralized biochar productions. Therefore we are directly creating jobs, increasing crop yields and protecting the climate.” says Katharina Danner.

The pilot project of setting up the biochar learning center and demonstration site starts in October. Char2Cool has set up a crowdfunding on betterplace.org to finance it. Your donations will make the vision of Char2Cool reality. If the funds are raised, the production of Peter Bassey in Lagos will become the first self-sustainable water hyacinths biochar production in the world.

Char2Cool e.V.
Fliederweg 8
94419 Reisbach

Olivia Thierley
info@char2cool.de

Char2Cool e.V. - Biochar from water hyacinths! Water hyacinths are a fast growing weed that has invaded water bodies all over Africa and Asia. The dense plant covers on lakes and rivers block harbours, make fishing impossible and choke any aquatic life below. An economic, social and ecological catastrophe! We are working with affected communities across Africa, to turn the weed into biochar. Biochar is a permanent carbon sink and helps to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Our team gives the know-how of biochar production and application. Our local partners are using their own capacities to set up and run the actual production. The producers sell the biochar locally as a soil enhancer. The application of biochar makes soils more fertile and drought-resistant. By connecting income generation with climate protection, we have created a self-financing model for sustainable development!

This release was published on openPR.