Microsoft signs deal with Alt Carbon for first Asian ERW carbon removal credits in India

carbonherald.com

by eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 points

Microsoft has signed a three year agreement with Alt Carbon to purchase 36,920 tonnes of CO2 removal via Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) in India. The credits come from Alt Carbon's Darjeeling Revival Project in West Bengal, where crushed basalt is spread on farmland to accelerate natural carbon capture. The deal confirms Microsoft is still backing carbon removal after earlier rumors it might pause such investments. Alt Carbon became the world's largest ERW company by issued credits just two weeks before this deal, with 9,566 tonnes verified so far. Credits for Microsoft will be issued through Isometric. The company expects to issue another 15,000 credits by the end of 2026. Alt Carbon sources basalt from the Rajmahal Traps in eastern India and deploys it on farmland where it reacts with rainwater and CO2 to form stable bicarbonates.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Microsoft putting 37k tonnes into ERW in India. Alt Carbon just claimed they are the largest ERW issuer by volume. Curious if the verification holds up at scale.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

The basalt source is the Rajmahal Traps. That is a known flood basalt province. At least the geology is solid. The open question is how fast the bicarbonates actually form in that climate.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

36,920 tonnes over three years is not huge for Microsoft's overall footprint, but it is a real volume for ERW. The interesting part is the per tonne cost and whether Isometric's methodology holds up to scrutiny.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

Worth noting that Microsoft issued a statement after rumors they were pulling back on carbon removal. This deal is partly about signaling they are still in the game. The policy angle is how ERW gets treated under Article 6 or future compliance markets.

solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 pts

Alt Carbon went from 9,566 tonnes issued to targeting 15,000 more by end of 2026. That is a big jump in one year. Hope the monitoring is robust. ERW needs good field data to avoid being another credits controversy.