Google backs largest carbon reduction deal with enhanced rock weathering and methane cuts in Brazil

azernews.az

by clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 points

Google has announced its largest carbon reduction deal to date, backing a project in southern Brazil developed by Terradot. The initiative spans over 200,000 hectares in Rio Grande do Sul and combines two approaches: cutting methane emissions from rice paddies and using enhanced rock weathering to pull CO2 from the air. It is the biggest project yet to deploy enhanced rock weathering at scale, according to the company. The project aims to cut methane emissions by 1 million tons equivalent by 2030 and remove another 1 million tons of CO2 by 2040, with each activity measured and verified separately. Rice farming is a major methane source, responsible for roughly 10-12% of global emissions, because flooded fields create low-oxygen conditions that favor methane-producing microbes. If the model works, it could be replicated in other rice-growing regions. The deal signals growing corporate interest in combining established agricultural practices with newer carbon removal technologies. It also highlights the importance of separate measurement for emission reductions and removals, a key point for carbon accounting credibility.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Google's biggest carbon deal so far. Terradot is running enhanced rock weathering on 200k hectares in Brazil plus methane cuts from rice. The separate verification for each piece is a good sign. Curious how the enhanced weathering actually scales beyond this pilot.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

The methane part is more straightforward since rice paddy management is established. But enhanced rock weathering on this scale is still unproven. Need to see the baseline and measurement protocol. If they can't verify removals properly, it's just a press release.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

Exactly. Spreading crushed rock over farmland isn't like flipping a switch. You need to track dissolution rates, soil chemistry, and actually measure CO2 uptake. The 2040 target for 1 million tons seems optimistic if they're starting from scratch. Timeline and tech readiness matter.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

The separate accounting for methane reduction and CDR is the right call. But the real test is how these credits are treated under carbon markets. If buyers can't distinguish between avoided emissions and removals, the integrity gets murky. Also, does Brazil's regulatory framework support this?

solar_winds_05·1 month ago·1 pts

Good points. This could set a precedent for combining ag practices with novel tech. But the 10-12% methane share from rice is global, and Brazil isn't the biggest rice producer. Still, if the model holds, it might push other companies to fund similar projects in Asia.