Microsoft Partners with Alt Carbon to Scale Enhanced Rock Weathering in India

Microsoft has solidified its commitment to carbon removal by signing a three-year agreement with Bengaluru-based startup Alt Carbon. The deal involves the purchase of nearly 37,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide removal credits generated through enhanced rock weathering, marking Microsoft’s first venture into this specific technology within Asia. The credits will be sourced from Alt Carbon’s Darjeeling Revival Project, which utilizes crushed basalt spread across farmland to accelerate natural carbon sequestration processes.

This partnership underscores a significant shift in the carbon credit market, where corporate buyers are increasingly prioritizing rigorous verification over mere promises. Despite recent industry speculation regarding a potential slowdown in Microsoft’s procurement, this agreement demonstrates the tech giant’s continued focus on high-quality, scientifically vetted carbon removal. Alt Carbon underwent a comprehensive due diligence process, meeting Microsoft’s stringent requirements for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) to ensure the integrity of the carbon sequestration data.

For the broader technology and climate sectors, this deal highlights the rising prominence of the Global South in the carbon removal economy. Developers in these regions have seen their share of global credit issuances grow substantially, moving from a marginal 2% in 2022 to over 25% today. By leveraging local resources and scaling operations across tens of thousands of acres of farmland, startups like Alt Carbon are proving that emerging markets can provide the verified, commercial-scale solutions necessary to meet the ambitious net-zero targets of global corporations.