Microsoft’s Commitment to Carbon Removal: A Focus on Partnerships with Lithos Carbon and Others

In a remarkable move showcasing its dedication to sustainability, Microsoft has signed a new agreement with Lithos Carbon, marking its third carbon removal deal this week. This latest agreement further cements Microsoft's position as a leader in global sustainability initiatives and underscores its ongoing pursuit of innovative, scalable carbon removal technologies.

>> RELATED: Microsoft Signs Carbon Removal Deal With Lithos Carbon

Lithos Carbon: The Future of Enhanced Rock Weathering

Lithos Carbon is making waves with its groundbreaking approach to carbon removal, known as Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW). This process involves deploying finely crushed basalt rock onto croplands. When rainwater interacts with this silicate rock, it triggers a chemical reaction that traps carbon dioxide (CO₂) as bicarbonate, which eventually flows into the ocean, sequestering it permanently.

"Microsoft has been a worldwide leader in sustainability," said MARY YAP, CEO of Lithos Carbon, in reference to the ongoing partnership. "We’re thrilled to work with them as a backer of our catalytic, data-driven project." Lithos Carbon aims to transform cropland into massive carbon capture centers, with the ambitious goal of removing a billion tons of CO₂ over the next decade.

The new three-year agreement between Microsoft and Lithos Carbon covers the removal of over 11,400 metric tons of CO₂. This builds on their previous collaboration, where Lithos Carbon delivered 500 tons of CO₂ removal by spreading ultra-fine volcanic basalt rock dust across U.S. farmland. Lithos Carbon is working with more than 100 farmers across nine states, showcasing the scalability of its solution and its dual benefits of carbon capture and soil enrichment.

Microsoft’s Broader Carbon Removal Strategy

Microsoft's commitment to carbon removal is part of a broader strategy aimed at making the company carbon-negative by 2030. As Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy Markets at Microsoft, noted, "Supporting innovative solutions is central to Microsoft’s carbon removal strategy." He added that Lithos Carbon's progress in refining ERW systems aligns perfectly with Microsoft’s pursuit of high-quality carbon dioxide removal projects.

This week alone, Microsoft has announced three separate carbon removal deals, all centered on ERW technology. This approach demonstrates the company's belief in the potential of this natural process, which mimics the Earth's own carbon sequestration mechanisms. Microsoft is not just investing in technology—it’s scaling up existing solutions to drive tangible environmental impact.

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The Undo Partnership: Cementing Leadership in Carbon Removal

In addition to its deal with Lithos Carbon, Microsoft announced a follow-up agreement with Undo, another company leveraging ERW technology to combat climate change. Under this partnership, Undo will remove 15,000 tonnes of CO₂ by spreading 65,000 tonnes of crushed silicate rock across farmland in the UK and Canada.

This agreement represents Microsoft’s second collaboration with Undo, further cementing its leadership role in the carbon removal space. By supporting Undo's efforts to scale, Microsoft is helping to broaden the adoption of ERW across multiple geographies, ensuring that carbon capture efforts can extend beyond borders.

The success of these partnerships is a testament to the scalability of ERW and the potential for Microsoft to achieve its ambitious climate goals through diverse projects that cut across industries and locations.

Eion: Another Pillar of Microsoft’s ERW Portfolio

Microsoft’s final carbon removal deal of the week involves Eion, a company that also focuses on ERW but with a unique twist. Eion’s process involves spreading olivine, another type of silicate rock, on farmlands to capture CO₂. Eion will deliver 8,000 tons of CO₂ removal over the next five years, concentrating its efforts on the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. after the fall harvest.

This partnership adds yet another layer to Microsoft's robust carbon removal portfolio, which is becoming increasingly diversified in terms of the technologies and geographies involved. Each company—Lithos Carbon, Undo, and Eion—brings a unique approach to carbon capture, reflecting Microsoft’s broader strategy to tackle the climate crisis from multiple angles.

Why Enhanced Rock Weathering Matters

Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) is an exciting frontier in carbon removal technology because it accelerates a natural process that has been happening for millions of years. Rocks like basalt and olivine naturally absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere over long periods, but ERW speeds this up by crushing the rocks into fine particles and spreading them over large areas.

What makes ERW particularly attractive is its dual benefits. Not only does it capture and sequester CO₂, but it also improves soil health by releasing valuable minerals into the ground. This makes ERW a win-win solution for farmers who can enhance their crops while contributing to global carbon reduction efforts.

As Mary Yap pointed out, "Our mission is to transform cropland into carbon capture centers." The success of these projects could mean that farmland worldwide becomes a critical tool in fighting climate change, all while boosting food production and improving soil quality.

Scaling Up for a Carbon-Free Future

Microsoft’s three carbon removal deals this week represent more than just isolated projects—they are part of a comprehensive strategy to achieve carbon-negative status by 2030. The partnerships with Lithos Carbon, Undo, and Eion demonstrate Microsoft's focus on supporting scalable solutions that can have a global impact.

As Brian Marrs stated, "Lithos Carbon’s improvements in enhanced rock weathering systems align perfectly with our pursuit of high-quality carbon dioxide removal projects." These deals show Microsoft’s dedication not only to reducing its own carbon footprint but also to leading the way for other companies to follow.

While ERW is still in its early stages, these partnerships prove that it has the potential to scale up rapidly and become a cornerstone of global carbon removal efforts. Microsoft’s investments in these companies illustrate its belief in the power of ERW and its potential to help the world achieve net-zero emissions.

The Road Ahead

The road ahead for Microsoft, Lithos Carbon, Undo, and Eion is promising. Each of these partnerships contributes to a broader effort to make meaningful reductions in global CO₂ levels. As these companies continue to scale, they are setting a precedent for how corporate investment in innovative technologies can drive real progress in the fight against climate change.

With Microsoft’s goal of being carbon-negative by 2030, these deals represent crucial steps toward achieving that ambitious target. By investing in cutting-edge technologies like ERW and partnering with innovative companies, Microsoft is making a bold statement: the future of climate action lies in collaboration, innovation, and a relentless commitment to sustainability.