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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on ESG Dive or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Microsoft has signed a landmark 10-year deal with Bolivia-based Exomad Green to remove 1.24 million tonnes of CO₂ through biochar carbon removal, making it the largest biochar agreement ever recorded
• The deal surpasses previous records set by Google earlier this year and is one of the largest purchases of durable carbon removals to date.
🔭 The context: Biochar, a stable form of carbon produced by heating organic waste without oxygen, is emerging as a verifiable, nature-based climate solution
• Microsoft previously acquired 32,000 tonnes from Exomad in 2023 and is now scaling its carbon removal strategy significantly
• The contract is supported by Carbonfuture, a digital MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) platform that ensures traceability and permanence of carbon storage
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This deal reinforces biochar’s role as a scalable, measurable solution for carbon removal with added soil and community benefits
• By using forestry residues that would otherwise be burned, Exomad reduces air pollution and creates value-added applications for local communities
• The agreement also signals increasing corporate demand for high-integrity carbon removal credits as part of net-zero strategies
⏭️ What's next: Exomad aims to scale up to sequester 1 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2027, bolstered by Microsoft’s long-term commitment
• The deal could catalyze similar investments from other corporates seeking durable carbon removal solutions
• It also highlights the growing importance of robust MRV systems in ensuring credibility as carbon markets mature and regulatory scrutiny increases
💬 One quote: “Microsoft has shown true climate leadership and commitment by seizing the immediate potential of biochar as a carbon removal solution that is measurable and scalable,” — Diego Justinianio, CEO, Exomad Green
📈 One stat: The 1.24 million tonnes of CO₂ contracted by Microsoft over 10 years represents the largest volume of biochar carbon removals ever purchased
See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon
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