Microsoft Expands Carbon Removal Portfolio With Enhanced Rock Weathering Agreement in Brazil

Microsoft has entered into a new carbon dioxide removal agreement with climate technology company InPlanet, securing the delivery of more than 28,500 tonnes of permanent CO2 removal between 2026 and 2028. The credits will be generated through Enhanced Rock Weathering projects across agricultural land in Brazil, reinforcing Microsoft’s strategy to scale durable, science-backed carbon removal pathways. The agreement reflects growing corporate interest in carbon removal methods that combine long-term sequestration with co-benefits for ecosystems and local economies, particularly in regions where soil health and agricultural resilience are under pressure.

 

Founded in 2022, InPlanet operates across Brazil and Germany and is focused on deploying Enhanced Rock Weathering as a practical climate solution. The approach accelerates a natural geological process by spreading finely crushed silicate rock over tropical farmland, where it reacts with atmospheric CO2 and locks carbon into stable mineral forms. Beyond carbon sequestration, the process improves soil chemistry by replenishing essential nutrients, increasing crop yields, and reducing dependence on synthetic fertilisers. InPlanet currently runs the largest Enhanced Rock Weathering programme in Brazil, with treatments applied across more than 12,000 hectares of farmland, positioning the company at the forefront of real-world ERW deployment.

 

A central feature of the Microsoft agreement is its emphasis on scientific integrity and measurement credibility. All carbon removal credits delivered under the contract will be issued using Isometric’s Enhanced Weathering Protocol and recorded on the Isometric Registry, ensuring transparent tracking and verification. In addition, anonymised project-level data will be shared through Cascade Climate’s ERW Data Quarry, contributing to broader scientific understanding of Enhanced Rock Weathering and supporting the development of industry-wide standards for monitoring and verification. Felix Harteneck, Founder and CEO of InPlanet, said the partnership allows the company to expand its research capabilities under operational conditions. He noted that InPlanet is monitoring soil chemistry, water systems, and carbon flows in detail to ensure that every tonne of CO2 removed is robustly quantified, with insights from the programme feeding into continuous improvements in measurement and verification methods.

 

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The InPlanet agreement represents the latest step in Microsoft’s rapidly expanding carbon removal portfolio. The technology company has emerged as the world’s largest corporate purchaser of carbon removal credits, with cumulative purchases exceeding 34.5 million tonnes of CO2, according to data from CDR.fyi. Enhanced Rock Weathering has become a key pillar of Microsoft’s approach, alongside direct air capture, bioenergy with carbon capture, and nature-based solutions. The company’s strategy prioritises durability, additionality, and transparency as it works toward its goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030. Phillip Goodman, Director of Carbon Removal Portfolio at Microsoft, said InPlanet’s focus on rigorous monitoring strengthens confidence in the environmental integrity of ERW credits. He highlighted that the projects demonstrate how carbon removal can deliver parallel benefits for farmers by improving soil health and agricultural productivity, while contributing to long-term climate outcomes.

 

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Brazil’s tropical soils and large agricultural base make it a compelling environment for Enhanced Rock Weathering, offering favourable conditions for both carbon sequestration and regenerative farming practices. InPlanet’s operations illustrate how carbon removal investment can align with food production and rural development, rather than competing with them. As global demand for high-quality carbon removal continues to grow, projects that integrate climate mitigation with local economic and environmental benefits are likely to attract increasing attention from corporate buyers and policymakers alike.

 

The Microsoft InPlanet deal underscores a broader shift in voluntary carbon markets toward higher standards of disclosure and verification. By anchoring credit issuance to peer-reviewed protocols and open data platforms, the agreement signals how buyers are seeking to de-risk carbon removal investments while accelerating market maturity. For carbon removal developers, the message is clear. Scale alone is no longer sufficient. Scientific credibility, transparent data, and verifiable permanence are becoming essential requirements as the market evolves from early experimentation to infrastructure-level climate solutions.

 

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