Cocoa Biochar GWP & Financial Calculator
Evaluate the climate and financial impact of biochar interventions
Cocoa Grower & Crop Information
Residue Availability & Properties
Available Cocoa Pod Husks (CPH): 0.00 tons fresh (0.00 tons dry matter)
Available Pruning Residues: 0.00 tons fresh (0.00 tons dry matter)
Biochar Production from Residues
Cocoa Pod Husks (CPH) to Biochar
Pruning Residues to Biochar
Biochar Production Summary
| Residue Type | Used for Biochar (tons DRY) | Biochar Produced (tons) | Carbon Removal (tCO₂e) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cocoa Pod Husks | 280.90 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Pruning Residues | 5073.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total | 5353.90 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Baseline Management of Remaining Residues (Before Biochar Intervention)
Cocoa Pod Husks (CPH) Baseline Management
Remaining CPH (after biochar): 0.00 tons fresh
Pruning Residues Baseline Management
Remaining Pruning (after biochar): 0.00 tons fresh
Carbon Impact Summary
Baseline Scenario
Original PCF Input: 10.40 kg CO₂e/kg
Effective PCF (after LUC adj.): 0.00 kg CO₂e/kg
Total Baseline Crop Emissions (PCF based): 0.00 tCO₂e
Intervention Impact
Total Biochar Produced: 0.00 tons
Carbon Removal (Biochar Sequestration): 0.00 tCO₂e
Total Avoided Baseline Emissions (Residue to Biochar): 0.00 tCO₂e
Detailed Carbon Benefits & New PCF
| Benefit Component | Amount (tCO₂e) | PCF Impact (kg CO₂e/kg bean) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Removal from Biochar | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Avoided Emissions (CPH used for biochar) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Avoided Emissions (Pruning used for biochar) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total Climate Benefit | 0.00 | 0.00 |
New Effective PCF: 0.00 kg CO₂e/kg bean
Total PCF Reduction: 0.00%
Carbon Accounting Explained
This calculator estimates the greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of using cocoa residues (Cocoa Pod Husks - CPH, and Pruning Residues) for biochar production, compared to baseline residue management practices. The methodology aligns with general GHG quantification principles, such as those outlined in protocols like the GHG Protocol or by organizations such as Quantis, focusing on two main benefit categories: Carbon Removals and Avoided Emissions.
Carbon Removals (Biochar Sequestration)
Cocoa biomass, like all plant matter, contains carbon that was absorbed from the atmosphere as CO₂ during photosynthesis (biogenic carbon). When this biomass is converted into biochar through pyrolysis, a significant portion of this carbon is transformed into a highly stable form. Applying this biochar to soil effectively sequesters this carbon, preventing it from returning to the atmosphere for extended periods (potentially centuries). This calculator quantifies this sequestration as a direct carbon removal from the atmosphere, measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e). The removal factor (e.g., tCO₂e removed per tonne of biochar) depends on the biochar's properties, particularly its stable carbon content.
Avoided Emissions
If cocoa residues are not used for biochar, they are typically managed in ways that can lead to GHG emissions. For example:
- Spreading on field: Decomposition of nitrogen-rich residues can release Nitrous Oxide (N₂O), a potent GHG with a Global Warming Potential (GWP100) of 273 times that of CO₂ over 100 years. The calculator uses IPCC 2019 emission factors for N₂O-N (Nitrous Oxide Nitrogen) per unit of nitrogen in the residue, then converts this to tCO₂e.
- Composting (managed/unmanaged) or Burning: These practices also have associated emission factors for N₂O, Methane (CH₄), and other GHGs.
By diverting residues to biochar production, the emissions that would have occurred under the baseline management scenario are *avoided*. These avoided emissions are a climate benefit. While the CO₂ released during natural decomposition or burning of biomass is biogenic and often considered carbon neutral within the annual carbon cycle, the N₂O and CH₄ emissions are significant non-CO₂ GHGs that contribute to climate change. This calculator quantifies these avoided non-CO₂ emissions in tCO₂e.
The following tables provide default parameters used or referenced in the calculations, based on scientific literature and IPCC guidelines:
Table 23: Default quantities and properties of cocoa agricultural residues
| Type | Dry Matter content | Reference | N content in DM | Reference | Mass ratio / Quantity | Justification | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pruning residues | 57% DM | Kazimierski et al. 2021 | 0.58% N in DM | RodríguezEspinosa et al. (2023) - Table 1 - average of the different crops | 8900 kg fresh mass / ha | The reference gives 4 different quantities of C in pruning residues per ha depending on the production scheme. For the reference quantity, the average of the 4 is taken -> 2.28 t C/ha. Carbon content of 0.45 kg C / kg DM (Sarkar et al 2022). | Schneidewind et al. 2018; Sarkar et al 2022 |
| Pod husk | 15.4% DM | Vergara-Mendoza et al. 2022 - Table 1 | 5.27% N in DM | VergaraMendoza et al. 2022 - Table 1 | 3.04 kg fresh husk / kg fresh bean | - | VergaraMendoza et al. 2022 - Table S1 |
Table 24: Default carbon emissions per type of residue management
| Type | Management | Emission Factor (EF) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spreading out on field | In wet* climate | Direct emissions: 0.006 kg N₂O-N / kg N Indirect emissions: 0.0026 kg N₂O-N / kg N | IPCC 2019 Vol4 Ch11 Table 11.1. Calculator converts N₂O-N to CO₂e using GWP100 for N₂O (273) and molar masses. |
| In dry* climate | Direct emissions: 0.005 kg N₂O-N / kg N (no indirect emissions considered in dry climate) | ||
| Unmanaged compost | - | 0.52 kg CO₂e / kg DM of residues | Ecoinvent 3.10 |
| Managed compost | - | 0.062 kg CO₂e / kg DM of residues | Ecoinvent 3.10 |
| Burning | - | 0.070 g N₂O/kg DM and 2.70 g CH₄/kg DM (Calculator uses combined 0.092 kg CO₂e/kg DM) | IPCC 2019 Vol4 Ch2 Table 2.5, line 'Agricultural residues' |
* The IPCC considers a climate wet if the precipitations go above 1000 mm/year, and dry otherwise.