In Highland County, Florida, the Central Florida Citrus Restoration project is taking action to revitalize the local citrus industry. The Florida citrus industry currently faces existential threats from hurricanes, citrus greening disease, and residential encroachment. The collective impact of these threats has contributed to a decline of acreage dedicated to citrus production by approximately 51% between 2001 and 2021. By partnering with 3Degrees, the Central Florida Citrus Restoration project is leveraging innovative biochar technology to transform agricultural waste into a valuable climate solution.
Utilizing a mobile pyrolysis unit, the Central Florida Citrus Restoration project converts dead and diseased citrus trees into biochar, a stable, carbon-rich material. This process is a durable carbon removal method, as it sequesters carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere through decomposition or burning. The resulting biochar is then returned to the land as a soil amendment.
The Central Florida Citrus Restoration Project is currently producing over 2,000 tons of biochar annually and is listed on the Climate Action Reserve (CAR) with approval under the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market’s (ICVCM) Core Carbon Principles (CCP), underscoring its high integrity. By leveraging carbon removal credit revenue, project leaders plan to expand their fleet of mobile pyrolysis units, aiming to produce over 10,000 tons of biochar annually within 2-3 years. This expansion will sequester more than 180,000 tons of CO2 over the next decade, making the project a critical tool for both climate action and community restoration.
PROJECT TYPE: Biochar Production
ONLINE DATE: 2025
LOCATION: Highland County, Florida
VERIFICATION: Climate Action Reserve (CAR)
RELATED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS): This project contributes directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action by countries in global partnership to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
Biochar Production provides substantial co-benefits
Beyond providing a durable, scalable carbon removal strategy, biochar production offers substantial co-benefits to both the local environment and local economy.
The Central Florida Citrus Restoration Project is expected to remove 4,400 to 6,600 tons of carbon annually. The project also improves air quality by avoiding open-air burning and revitalizes depleted soils through biochar soil amendments.
The Central Florida Citrus Restoration Project offers economic advantages for the local community and citrus industry. The project provides jobs, with plans to employ up to 39 people, and helps farmers save costs by removing their dead and diseased trees.
Ready to take climate action with biochar production?
At 3Degrees, we’re helping leading businesses take climate action through high-integrity emissions reduction projects. Biochar production represents a key opportunity to produce durable carbon emissions while providing valuable co-benefits to the local community.
3Degrees offers access to innovative decarbonization strategies built on over two decades of experience. Through collaboration with our team of experts, 3Degrees provides leading businesses the opportunities they need to meet ambitious climate goals. Contact 3Degrees, and learn how your business can take urgent climate action today.
