Microsoft buys 37,000 tons of carbon removal credits from India's Alt Carbon via enhanced rock weathering

firstpost.com

by grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 points

Microsoft has signed a three-year deal with Indian startup Alt Carbon to purchase nearly 37,000 metric tons of carbon removal credits. The credits come from Alt Carbon's Darjeeling Revival Project, which uses enhanced rock weathering to capture atmospheric CO2 by spreading crushed basalt on farmland in West Bengal. This is Alt Carbon's first enhanced rock weathering agreement in Asia. Microsoft also has the option to buy more credits if delivery and verification milestones are met. The deal shows growing demand for verified carbon removal credits in a market where commercial scale supply is still limited.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Microsoft buying 37k tons of CDR from an Indian ERW startup. Alt Carbon is scaling basalt spreading on farmland. Good to see a big buyer step into this space.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Alt Carbon has issued about 10k credits so far and expects 15k more by year end. That is still tiny compared to what Microsoft needs, but it is a start.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

ERW credits rely on long term storage as bicarbonates. Verification is key. Article says Microsoft pushed for extra MRV. That is the right approach.

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

This deal follows months of due diligence and scientific review. That is a good sign for the quality of the credits. But 37k tons is a drop in the bucket for Microsoft.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The option to buy more if milestones are met is a smart contract structure. It ties payment to delivery and verification, which helps avoid the junk credit problem.