Microsoft has announced a ten-year partnership with marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) provider Ebb Carbon to remove up to 350,000 tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere. This agreement supports Microsoft’s commitment to achieving carbon negativity by 2030, aligning with its broader carbon removal initiatives.

Ebb Carbon, founded in 2021 by former executives from Tesla, SolarCity, and Google X, employs an advanced Electrochemical Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) process. This technique enhances the ocean’s natural carbon storage capacity by transforming CO₂ in seawater into bicarbonate ions, which can hold more atmospheric carbon. The process not only captures carbon but also mitigates ocean acidification, benefiting marine life and coastal ecosystems under threat from climate change.

As part of the agreement, Ebb Carbon will initially deliver 1,333 tonnes of CO₂ removal, with the potential to scale up to 350,000 tonnes over the contract period. Brian Marrs, Microsoft’s Senior Director of Energy & Carbon Removal, highlighted the importance of ocean-based carbon removal, noting that Ebb’s technology leverages the ocean’s natural processes to achieve lasting carbon storage at scale.

Ebb Carbon’s carbon removal results will be monitored using a protocol from Isometric, a carbon removal registry. This framework ensures accuracy in measuring and verifying the CO₂ captured, contributing to transparency and trust in carbon credits. According to Stacy Kauk, Chief Science Officer at Isometric, this protocol uses internationally recognized ocean models to quantify carbon removal, ensuring rigorous scientific standards.

This partnership marks another step in Microsoft’s journey to reduce its carbon footprint through varied technologies, including ocean-based and nature-based carbon capture, direct air capture, and biochar-based solutions.