British Columbia could be at the forefront of a new wave in climate solutions, according to a new report released today by NorthX Climate Tech.
Titled Biocarbon Rising: From Concept to Commercialization, the study outlines how BC can turn its natural and industrial strengths into global leadership in the emerging biocarbon economy.
Developed in partnership with Energy Super Modelers and International Analysts (ESMIA), the report is the first comprehensive roadmap for commercializing biocarbon in Canada. It identifies the most promising feedstocks and conversion technologies suited to BC, and lays out practical strategies to scale production and use by 2030 and 2050.
Biocarbon, a carbon-rich material derived from biomass, is increasingly seen as a key tool for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, and aviation. The report argues that commercial-scale adoption is not only possible but urgently needed if Canada is to meet its net-zero goals.
Among the report’s key findings:
- BC’s forestry residues, agricultural by-products, and organic waste streams can support significant biocarbon production.
- Thermochemical conversion methods such as pyrolysis and gasification are among the most scalable technologies.
- With the right investments and policy frameworks, biocarbon could displace fossil carbon in several industrial applications by 2030.
The report also includes market outlooks, investment projections, and policy levers needed to unlock biocarbon’s full potential—not just in BC but across Canada and internationally.
To support public engagement and discussion, NorthX will host a live webinar on July 29th, featuring the report’s authors and climate experts unpacking the findings and what they mean for Canada’s clean energy future.
The full Biocarbon Rising report is now available for download and more background is available in a recent NorthX blog post titled Understanding Biocarbon and its Climate Impact.