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🗞️ Driving the news: Microsoft has committed to purchasing 1.5 million tonnes of verified carbon removal credits over 30 years through the Panna afforestation project in India
• The project, led by Climate Impact Partners and Terra Natural Capital, will plant up to 11.6 million native trees across 20,000 hectares
• This marks Microsoft’s largest carbon removal initiative in the APAC region and its first in India
🔭 The context: The Panna project underwent three years of due diligence, pilot programs, and independent assessments to ensure its viability
• Over 1.2 million trees have already been planted across 100 communities, demonstrating early success
• The initiative integrates afforestation with economic incentives, climate-smart farming, and water conservation infrastructure
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This project helps restore degraded land, supports biodiversity, and sequesters significant carbon emissions
• It aligns with Microsoft's sustainability goals while providing long-term financial and ecological benefits to local communities
• The initiative also strengthens corporate investment in nature-based climate solutions, a critical pathway to net zero
⏭️ What's next: As the project scales, more trees will be planted, and infrastructure will be expanded to support water management and sustainable farming
• The success of Panna could serve as a model for future large-scale carbon removal projects
• Microsoft’s involvement may encourage other corporations to commit to long-term climate investments
💬 One quote: By securing a long-term supply of high-quality carbon credits, this model empowers companies like Microsoft to meet their ambitious climate targets, drive growth in the carbon removal market, and bring benefits to communities most impacted by climate change" — Sheri Hickok, CEO of Climate Impact Partners
📈 One stat: The project will plant up to 11.6 million native trees across 20,000 hectares, an area larger than Washington, DC
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