Launching A Biochar Revolution in Cornwall
Hello, I’m Tom Previte, founder of Restord, and my startup adventure began like many others, as just a fascination. After years of talking about saving the planet while working behind a desk, I decided it was time to get my hands dirty. This is the story of how I ventured into the sustainability world and the learnings that led to us launching a climate project in Cornwall focused on producing biochar.
Why Biochar
When working on a climate change podcast, I came across a little known climate solution known as biochar and it captured my imagination. It not only sequesters carbon but promises a bunch of soil benefits for farmers.
Biochar is produced by pyrolysis, a process that involves cooking organic material in the absence of oxygen. The result is a charcoal-like substance that can improve soil health and capture carbon. Biochar's benefits include increased water retention, improved nutrient capacity, enhanced soil biodiversity, and even reduced methane emissions when added to cattle feed.
Holding a piece of biochar on the farm
Cornwall: The Perfect Starting Point
I decided to take the plunge into entrepreneurship and launch a biochar project from my family’s farm in Cornwall, Liskeard. Agriculture is integral to the UK and Cornwall, with roughly 70% of Cornwall’s land being farmed. This made it the ideal location to test and demonstrate the benefits of biochar.
I'd already seen biochar on-farm elsewhere in the UK. On one memorable trip to Wales, I saw how two biochar-producing farmers believed biochar was contributing to crop growth and even combatting ash dieback. Experiences like these fuelled my commitment.
A birds-eye view of our farm in Cornwall
Overcoming Challenges with Community Support
The path hasn’t been smooth. From picking the right machine to produce our biochar to overcoming logistical hurdles, each step has been a learning curve. We’re starting with a pilot project that could remove 100 tonnes of CO2e, the equivalent of offsetting 13 homes' energy use for one year.
Despite the obstacles, the support from local farmers, business owners, and Cornwall Council has been invaluable. Their insights and encouragement have been crucial in navigating the complex landscape of starting a climate project here.
Engaging the Cornish Community
I realised that very few people knew about biochar, particularly in the UK, and wanted others to learn from our successes and failures. As a result, we launched a podcast: "Grounded: A Climate Startup Journey." The podcast chronicles the highs and lows of our adventures, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of setting up a climate business. It’s a platform for dialogue, learning, and inspiring others to take action.
In Episode 5 we sat down with Cllr Martyn Alvey, Portfolio holder for Environment and Climate Change to discuss Cornwall’s climate strategy and how we might work closely with Cornwall Council to bring biochar to the area.
Looking forward, the journey is far from over. The need for effective climate solutions grows more urgent and biochar is one solution that agriculture can use to support the net zero transition. Our initial focus is on improving UK farm systems and biomass waste management.
Join Our Mission
We want to hear from you - your thoughts, concerns, or questions about biochar application in the UK. You can get involved via our socials and via listening to our podcast. Join us as we put biochar's properties to the test on local farms in Cornwall and share our journey.
Notes for Editors:
About the author: Host Tom Previte has a background in startups, and recently worked at a leading carbon removal (CDR) marketplace, growing the market for CDR and selling credits to leading buyers. Since 2021, he has been the co-host of The Carbon Removal Show, speaking to dozens of the world’s foremost voices in climate tech, hosting events, and becoming a respected thought-leader in his space. Today, he is putting his experience into practice as the founder of Restord, a UK-based biochar startup.
Apple Podcasts URL: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/grounded-a-climate-startup-journey/id1744187537
Spotify URL: https://open.spotify.com/show/3jL31BF1zhbV6V1cF9nyEn
Multilink URL: https://linktr.ee/Restord
Crowdfunder URL: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/launching-a-biochar-project-in-cornwall
50-word podcast blurb: Grounded: A Climate Startup Journey is the story of a startup that wants to remove carbon from the atmosphere and help reshape our relationship with the planet. Ideally without burning to the ground in the process. Listen to follow the highs and lows of a green startup, as they happen.
Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ACptla5BbJTFgsvsXsaaMYiw9wTyfFTh?usp=sharing
Company Website: https://www.restord.earth/
Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/restord.earth
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restord-earth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Restord_earth
