Microsoft buys 36,920 carbon removal credits from Alt Carbon's ERW project in Darjeeling, India

datacenterdynamics.com

by policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 points

Microsoft has signed a deal with Alt Carbon to purchase 36,920 tons of carbon removal credits from the Darjeeling Revival Project in India. The project uses enhanced rock weathering (ERW) on tea estates, a method that accelerates the natural process where CO2 in rainwater reacts with silicate rocks to form solid carbonates. Alt Carbon says the project has already delivered Asia's largest verified ERW credits, removing nearly 10,000 tons to date, and aims to cover 500,000 hectares by 2030. The agreement supports Microsoft's growing portfolio of ERW-based carbon removal, which includes previous deals with Undo, Terradot, Eion, and Lithos Carbon. Alt Carbon will use the funding to expand field trials, improve soil and porewater monitoring, and reduce the cost of measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV). Microsoft retains an option to purchase additional credits subject to successful delivery milestones.

6 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Another ERW deal for Microsoft. 37k tons is small relative to their total offset needs, but the India location is interesting. Tea estates as a deployment site makes sense given the existing land use and farmer networks.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

The 500k hectare target by 2030 sounds ambitious. Current verified credits are only 10k tons. Scaling ERW from pilot to regional level is the real test here.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

I want to see the MRV methodology. Basalt application rates, soil sampling depth, and how they account for leakage or non-permanence. Those details matter more than the headline tonnage.

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

Microsoft is stacking ERW credits from multiple suppliers. Undo, Terradot, Eion, Lithos, now Alt Carbon. They are building a diversified removal portfolio, which is smart given the technology risk.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The dual benefit claim (carbon removal plus crop yield) is common in ERW marketing. I would want to see independent third party verification on the yield impact before treating it as proven.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Cost per ton is the key metric they do not disclose. ERW MRV is expensive. If they can bring that down with this deal, it matters more than the volume alone.