Invited Talk: Biochar As a Support for Triumphing Sustainable Development Goals

Biochar is a carbonaceous material produced under pyrolysis or gasification of various waste biomasses as feedstocks with lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. Composition of biochar plays a role in determining its application. Biochar has received strong attention from researchers in diverse fields due to its unique and universal characteristics. The Global Goals (17 in number) are set up to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) became an universal action. The objective here is to assess biochar’s capacity in achieving the said SDGs. Biochar from agri-waste amalgamation with wastewaters may reduce the fertilizer use will reduce poverty while soil conditioning with biochar improves soil fertility converting poor soils into productive land will leads to zero hunger. Biochar is extensively used in soil and water remediation and hence achieving 3^rd and 6^th goals; good health & well-being and clean water sanitation are promising. Waste to energy helps in waste minimization via producing biochar, which can be used to remediate environmental pollution from landfills. Converting waste into usable material leads to circular economy with material recycling demonstrate sustainable production and consumption. Sri Lanka is trying to generate biochar using municipal solid waste as a multi solution approach to open dumping of waste. Biochar reduces green-house gases while its addition to water and soil reduce nutrient leaching helps life below water. Reclamation, remediation, restoration improve life on land. Hence, biochar is the future material for the globe to achieve sustainability.