Turning Agricultural Waste into Carbon Assets
Every harvest season across Asia, millions of tonnes of crop residues are burned in the open sky.
From sugarcane leaves to rice straw, this biomass is often seen as waste that must be cleared before the next crop cycle.
But what if this “waste” could become one of the most powerful tools for carbon removal and soil restoration?
A hidden carbon economy in plain sight
Each year, Thailand produces over 17 million tonnes of sugarcane leaves and 25 million tonnes of rice straw.
Much of it is still burned or left to decompose, releasing carbon dioxide and fine particles that drive PM2.5 pollution and degrade soil over time.
Yet the same residues can be converted into biochar, a stable form of carbon that remains in the soil for hundreds of years.
The same crop residues that once produced smoke and pollution can now be transformed into verified carbon removal credits.
According to a 2023 study published in Biochar, countries across the Global South hold some of the world’s largest untapped biomass potential, representing tens of millions of tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in possible carbon storage each year.
Thailand alone could generate 10–25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually through biochar production.
When we look at residues this way, waste becomes a resource that supports both livelihoods and the planet — avoiding emissions, improving soil fertility, and creating new income opportunities for rural communities.
Bridging access to the carbon economy
The opportunity to turn agricultural residues into value is immense, but participation is not yet equal.
Most carbon markets operate in English, require complex verification, and rely on systems far removed from the realities of farming.
The people closest to the biomass, the farmers and small processors, are often the last to benefit from it.
This is what drives our work at Happy Ground.
We started by asking a simple question: If the future of climate action depends on farmers, why is the system designed for everyone but them?
Since then, our focus has been on translating global frameworks into tools that farmers and local partners can actually use.
We’re learning how to simplify data collection without losing scientific integrity, and how to make sure each project reflects local knowledge rather than replacing it.
Building this bridge isn’t easy. But it’s necessary, because real climate progress will only happen when those who work the land can also share in its value.
What comes next
Agricultural waste doesn’t have to be a symbol of loss.
It can be a starting point for regeneration, a way to store carbon, restore soil, and return value to the people who feed us all.
This isn’t just a technical challenge. It’s a cultural one.
And the more we build together, across industries, borders, and languages, the closer we get to a carbon economy that truly includes everyone.
Sources
Lefebvre, D., et al. (2023). Biomass residue to carbon dioxide removal: quantifying the global impact of biochar. Biochar, 5(65).
FAO (2021). Agricultural residue burning in Asia contributes significantly to PM2.5 pollution.
Cowie, A. L., et al. (2023). Each tonne of biochar can store about 2–3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. (2015). Biochar for Environmental Management. Earthscan.
