The Maldives government has launched a CO2 reduction project where the usage of biochar will be applied. Biochar is a charcoal made from bio-wastes (i.e. coconuts), produced through the slow pyrolysis of such plant wastes. The resulting black char is rich in carbon and can be mixed with soil as a fertiliser.

According to a report by the BBC News and Carbon Offsets Daily, this pilot project, launched by the Maldives government together with the UK-based company Carbon Gold, aims to produce biochar using coconut shells which are abundantly available in this area, as well as other bio-waste.

According to Carbon Gold, biochar is an effective way of removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The fertiliser also improves soil fertility and locks up its carbon contents. Waste that would have rotted (or burnt) can now be locked up and put very safely in the soil. It is not one of the best solutions, but it is a perfect example of how countries can benefit further from their local climatic and agricultural conditions. Aminath Shafia - Minister of state for fisheries and agriculture - declared:

While wasting the environment we are wasting a lot of money by buying (fertilizer) from abroad. So, we were looking into a project that could develop it using something that is available in the country.

The Maldives wants to be carbon neutral by 2020 and President Mohamed Nasheed has welcomed the new partnership with enthusiasm.