Microsoft Taps India’s Varaha for Durable Carbon Removal Offtake
Microsoft secures 100K tons of carbon removal credits from India’s Varaha to offset AI-driven emissions.
Matilda
Microsoft Taps India’s Varaha for Durable Carbon Removal Offtake
Microsoft Buys 100K Tons of Carbon Removal from Indian Startup Varaha In a major move to counter rising emissions from its booming AI and cloud operations, Microsoft has signed a landmark deal with Indian climate tech startup Varaha to purchase over 100,000 tons of durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits through 2029. The agreement focuses on converting agricultural waste—specifically cotton crop residue—into biochar, a stable form of carbon that locks away CO₂ for centuries while improving soil health. This initiative not only tackles climate change but also addresses the persistent problem of open-field burning that plagues rural India. Credit: Google Why Microsoft Is Betting Big on Biochar in India As Microsoft pushes deeper into artificial intelligence and data-intensive cloud services, its carbon footprint continues to grow. Despite pledging to become carbon-negative by 2030, the company reported a 23.4% increase in total greenhouse gas emissions in fiscal year 2024 compared to …
