Cape Biochar | Clearing Invasive Species, Restoring the Overberg

Cape Biochar is a Cave Bear Capital project focused on combating climate change while transforming the Overberg region of South Africa.

Our Mission

The Overberg region of South Africa faces a growing ecological crisis due to the unchecked spread of invasive alien species (IAS), including Eucalyptus, Black Wattle, and Pine, resulting in depleted water resources, displacement of the native fynbos ecosystem, and heightened fire risks. At the same time, climate change and its negative impact are accelerating.

AND THE SOLUTION?

Our Solution

We address this dual crisis by removing these invasive species and sequestering carbon through sustainable biochar production via a pyrolysis process, providing long-term solutions for both the environment and the fight against global warming. In our specific context in South Africa’s Overberg region, our project brings profound additional benefits to the communities and ecology of the region.

The benefits include:

Employment

Creating a large number of jobs in a region where employment opportunities are limited, supporting local communities and economic growth.

Restoration

Rehabilitating the natural fynbos ecosystem - one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, containing around 20% of Africa’s plant species despite covering less than 1% of the continent’s land mass.

Protection

Reducing the risk of wild fires, which regularly devastate the region, while releasing massive carbon emissions.

Our Project

Innovative Carbon Sequestration through Biochar

Our project offers a sustainable solution by removing these invasive trees and converting them into biochar through a pyrolysis process. This method not only sequesters carbon, effectively mitigating climate change, but also transforms the biomass into a stable form that can be stored in the soil for centuries. This approach aligns with global efforts to reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels.

Enhancing Soil Fertility and Supporting Sustainable Agriculture

Beyond carbon sequestration, biochar significantly enhances soil fertility. When incorporated into soil, it improves nutrient retention, water-holding capacity, and overall soil health. This results in increased agricultural productivity and supports sustainable farming practices. The Overberg region and the broader Western Cape Province are key agricultural centres, where the potential benefit from applying biochar-enriched fertilisers is significant.

High-Quality Carbon Removal Credits

The carbon removal credits generated by our biochar project meet the highest standards for environmental integrity and transparency. By following rigorous certification protocols from globally respected bodies such as PURO, we ensure that each ton of carbon sequestered is verified, validated, and traceable. These certifications guarantee that our credits represent real, additional, and permanent carbon removal, making them a trusted choice for businesses and organizations looking to offset their carbon emissions with high-quality, verifiable projects.

The pyrolysis of these invasive alien species is completely additional, as landowners are mandated to remove them, and currently, they are either used for firewood or left to decompose in-situ, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere rather than being converted into stable biochar.

Biochar Benefits

Some of the many benefits that come with creating biochar through the removal of invasive alien tree species.

Biochar Benefits

Some of the many benefits that come with creating biochar through the removal of invasive alien tree species.

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