Microsoft has taken a significant step towards carbon negativity by 2030. The company has signed a landmark deal with Bolivia-based Exomad Green to remove nearly 1.24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) using biochar technology. This Microsoft carbon removal deal (the largest of its kind by volume) demonstrates the tech giant’s commitment to corporate sustainability but also sets a new standard for scalable, traceable climate solutions.
A bold move for climate action
The 10-year partnership with Exomad Green reflects Microsoft’s determination to advance its climate goals through innovative, nature-based solutions. The Microsoft carbon removal initiative amplifies an existing relationship between the two firms. Microsoft previously purchased 32,000 tonnes of biochar credits from Exomad in December 2023. By dramatically scaling up its investment, Microsoft is signalling confidence in the potential of biochar as a cornerstone of corporate sustainability strategies.
This initiative follows Microsoft’s broader engagement with nature-based solutions, including a recent corporate sustainability agreement with Mexican startup Toroto. In this agreement, Microsoft secured over 234,000 carbon credits from a forest restoration project in the Calakmul rainforest, demonstrating the company’s multi-pronged approach to investing in large-scale carbon removal and community-focused climate solutions.
Exomad Green, the world’s largest biochar producer, already removes 120,000 mtCO₂e annually across two facilities. With the support of this deal, the company plans to expand production, adding a third site and planning two more, which could significantly increase the reach and impact of biochar technology. Biochar, produced via pyrolysis from forestry residues, locks carbon into a stable form that remains in soil for centuries while improving agricultural productivity. This sequesters carbon but also generates tangible co-benefits for local communities.
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Scaling carbon removal and community impact
The project is designed to benefit over 250,000 people in Bolivia’s Riberalta, Concepcion, and surrounding areas, demonstrating how carbon removal initiatives can align with broader social and economic development goals.
Exomad Green’s commitment to supply chain integrity and traceability is evident through its planned Forest Monitoring Center and quality assurance processes. Each carbon credit will be certified by Puro.earth, with Carbonfuture managing monitoring, reporting, and verification via its MRV+ digital platform. This ensures transparency from biomass sourcing to carbon storage.
Importantly, this Microsoft carbon removal deal positions biochar alongside other emerging carbon removal solutions such as direct air capture, enhanced weathering, and reforestation. Unlike traditional offsetting mechanisms, which primarily neutralise emissions, these approaches actively remove atmospheric CO₂, offering a more permanent and credible contribution to global decarbonisation efforts.
Conclusion
Looking ahead, this Microsoft carbon removal deal with Exomad Green is poised to inspire broader adoption of durable decarbonisation solutions in corporate sustainability strategies. As climate regulations tighten and stakeholder expectations rise, companies that invest in verifiable, science-based carbon removal will meet their climate goals but also strengthen business resilience and growth.
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