Microsoft has signed a reforestation deal in Brazil.
Re.green this week that it has finalized its largest carbon removal (CDR) project to date with Microsoft.
The deal will fund the restoration of more than 16,000 hectares of degraded pastureland across Brazil (over half of which is already acquired with restoration activities underway), including in the States of Maranhão and Bahia, encompassing the planting of at least 10.7 million native seedlings.
The agreement will deliver approximately three million tons of carbon removal credits over a 15-year period.
Thiago Picolo, Re.green CEO, said: "Our company has positioned itself to meet the demands of a market that requires stringent standards for quality. We consider Microsoft’s carbon removal program to be a global benchmark for high-integrity carbon removal and a leader in scientific advancement, validating our trajectory.
"This collaboration serves as tangible evidence that this market not only exists but has significant potential for growth in Brazil. We are committed to forging additional partnerships of this caliber."
Brian Marrs, senior director for energy & carbon removal at Microsoft, added: “We value the science-led innovation and business execution that Re.green brings to this agreement. High-quality, nature-based solutions are vital to addressing climate change and we are excited to pursue this offtake deal in Brazil with Re.green.”
As well as signing a large number of renewable energy contracts to power its operations, Microsoft has been regularly investing in carbon capture projects as it seeks to reach not only carbon neutrality but also remove its historical emissions.
Reforestation deals are still uncommon sustainability initiates amongst data center and telecoms companies, with only a few examples in recent years. While trees are major sequesters of carbon, detractors say there's a risk carbon will be released again in the future if reforested areas are not protected properly.
Microsoft has previously funded an agroforestry project in Kenya. Orange, Digital Realty, and Gibraltar Telecom have funded other forestry projects. Equinix and CyrusOne are part of an Orchard initiative in Ireland.
