‍Pond Foundation’s Ghana Biochar Sets New Benchmark for Quality and Climate Impact

The Pond Foundation is proud to announce the results of our latest Fusinite analysis on biochar produced in Paga, northern Ghana. The findings confirm that our biochar not only meets but exceeds global standards for carbon stability and permanence—key factors in both climate action and community development.

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What Is Biochar and Why Does Quality Matter?

Biochar is a stable, carbon-rich material made by heating organic waste (like baobab shells) in a low-oxygen environment. When added to soil, it improves fertility, boosts crop yields, and—most importantly—locks away carbon for centuries, helping fight climate change.

But not all biochar is created equal. The quality of biochar determines how long it will store carbon, how well it improves soil, and how valuable it is for generating carbon credits. That’s why rigorous testing, like the Fusinite analysis, is essential.

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Highlights from the Fusinite Results

Our latest sample was independently analyzed using the Fusinite protocol, which is recognized for its thorough assessment of biochar’s chemical and physical properties. Here’s what the results show:

What does this mean?

• High Carbon Content: 76.26% of the biochar is pure, stable carbon—well above the minimum for premium biochar.
• Exceptional Stability: 91.65% inertinite content means our biochar is extremely resistant to breaking down, ensuring carbon stays locked away for centuries, if not millennia (Resulting in highly durable credits!)
• Advanced Carbonization: An H/C ratio of 0.14 is a hallmark of world-class biochar, indicating a highly aromatic, condensed structure that resists microbial decomposition  .

In short: Our biochar is built to last, making it a powerful tool for both climate action and soil regeneration  .

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Why This Matters for Carbon Credits

The quality of biochar directly affects the value and credibility of the carbon credits we generate and sell. Here’s how:

• Permanence: Carbon credits are only as good as the guarantee that carbon will stay out of the atmosphere. Our Fusinite results show our biochar will keep carbon locked away for at least 100 years—often much longer—meeting or exceeding the strictest international standards (like Puro.earth, Verra, and the European Biochar Certificate)  .
• Premium Value: High-quality, stable biochar earns higher-value carbon credits. Buyers and certifiers look for metrics like high carbon content, low H/C ratio, and high inertinite—exactly what our results deliver  .
• Transparency and Trust: Our rigorous, third-party-verified testing ensures that every credit we sell is backed by real, measurable, and permanent climate impact .

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How This Supports Communities in Ghana

Our biochar project is about more than just carbon. It’s a cornerstone of our mission to empower communities and restore ecosystems in Ghana:

• Soil Health and Food Security: Farmers using our biochar see improved soil fertility, better water retention, and higher crop yields—especially important in the face of climate change and erratic rainfall .
• Economic Opportunity: Biochar production creates local jobs, from collecting agricultural waste to operating kilns and distributing the final product. The sale of carbon credits brings new income streams to rural communities .
• Community Investment: Revenue from carbon credits is reinvested in local priorities—clean water, medical supplies, education, and women’s empowerment through initiatives like Hilary’s Kids .
• Environmental Stewardship: By turning waste into a valuable resource, we reduce pollution, improve water quality, and help restore degraded land .

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Aligned with the Pond Foundation’s Mission

The Fusinite results are a testament to our commitment to regenerative action for people and the planet. By producing some of the world’s highest-quality biochar, we are:

• Fighting climate change through durable carbon removal
• Restoring soils and ecosystems for long-term resilience
• Empowering communities with new skills, jobs, and opportunities
• Setting a new standard for transparency, quality, and impact in the global carbon market

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What’s Next?

We will continue to lead with science, transparency, and community partnership. Our next steps include:

• Scaling up biochar production in Ghana and beyond
• Expanding our carbon credit offerings to more buyers and partners
• Investing even more in local development and regenerative agriculture

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To view our full report on the quality of our biochar, request it from gustaf@pond.foundation

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