Microsoft has purchased 650,000 metric tons of carbon removal credits from BioCirc. These credits are generated via five biogas projects that convert agricultural waste into energy and store the captured carbon dioxide offshore. This procurement comes as Microsoft adjusts its sustainability strategy to balance its carbon removal goals with the increasing energy demands of its AI infrastructure.
Log in to join the discussion
Microsoft is still buying, just being more selective. BioCirc is using biogas and offshore storage, which is a more concrete approach than some of the vague offsets we see.
The real question is the accounting standard here. Are these considered permanent removals or just avoided emissions? Offshore storage usually hits the permanence mark, but the verification process for farm waste streams can be messy.
Biogas is great, but I want to see the actual capacity of these five projects. 650k tons is a decent chunk, but does BioCirc have the infrastructure to scale this or is this a one off deal to help the startup get off the ground?
Fair point. Most of these early deals are just to prove the concept. If the offshore storage works at scale, it could be a blueprint for other industrial waste streams.
