Microsoft & Exomad Green: The World’s Largest Carbon Removal

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has found that most scenarios for limiting global warming to 2°C or 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels require net negative emissions essentially, more carbon removal than emissions. 

To upscale essential carbon removal, Microsoft, global technology giant, and Exomad Green, a leading producer of biochar carbon removal (BCR) credits, has finalised the world’s largest biochar carbon removal agreement to date. 

The 10-year deal with Microsoft will remove at least 1.24 million tonnes of CO₂, making it the largest BCR contract ever signed and one of the largest durable carbon removal (CDR) deals globally.

Industrial-scale carbon removal with biochar

The announcement signals that biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from heating biomass in the absence of oxygen, has reached industrial-scale readiness. 

Recognised for its stability, biochar can remain in soil for centuries while enhancing soil quality. 

It is currently regarded as the most readily scalable form of durable carbon removal.

Under the terms of the agreement, every tonne of CO₂ removed will be digitally tracked and verified using Carbonfuture’s Monitoring, Reporting and Verification platform, MRV+. 

This system is contractually embedded and aligned with the Puro.earth Biochar Methodology, ensuring that all emissions reductions are independently verified and certified.

“This agreement sets a new precedent for how quality is built into carbon removal from day one,” says Hannes Junginger-Gestrich, CEO of Carbonfuture. 

“By embedding dMRV into the contract, this deal delivers the transparency and traceability the market needs as it scales toward megatonnes of impact.”

The deal also supports Exomad Green’s long-term goal of sequestering one megatonne of CO₂ annually by 2027. 

With a market share of 27% of durable CDR deliveries as of April 2025, more than 120,000 tonnes already sequestered, the company is positioned as the sector’s top supplier.

Microsoft’s purchase represents the continuation of a growing partnership. 

A previous transaction in December 2023 saw the company buy 32,000 tonnes of biochar removal credits from Exomad Green.

“Today’s historic deal is testament to the relationship we have formed between Microsoft and Exomad Green, powered by Carbonfuture’s dMRV,” explains Diego Justiniano, President of Exomad Green. 

“Microsoft has shown true climate leadership and commitment by seizing the immediate potential of biochar as a carbon removal solution that is measurable and scalable, while demonstrating significant co-benefits across communities and in improving soil quality.”

Forest monitoring and community benefits

One of the defining features of the agreement is its focus on sustainable biomass sourcing.

Exomad Green uses waste biomass, specifically forestry residues that would otherwise be incinerated in sawmill firepits, to produce biochar. 

These residues are repurposed, avoiding local air pollution and reducing fire risks in urban areas.

A dedicated Forest Monitoring Center has been set up to track biomass origin and ensure it meets strict environmental and ethical standards. 

This traceability is critical to the project’s integrity and forms part of a broader roadmap for responsible carbon removal at scale.

“This deal raises the bar for sustainable biomass sourcing,” the company states.

Exomad Green notes that the new monitoring centre will work alongside Microsoft and Carbonfuture to uphold these standards across the full 10 year term.

Beyond environmental impact, the initiative aims to support more than 250,000 people in and around the regions of Concepción, Riberalta and nearby Bolivian communities. 

The biochar produced is distributed locally to help improve soil conditions in agricultural settings, which in turn supports food production and community resilience.

The model brings together climate action and social benefit, linking long-term sequestration with improved local outcomes. 

Co-benefits include increased agricultural productivity and enhanced soil health, as well as reductions in smoke-related pollution.

Scaling carbon removal 

This agreement reinforces Microsoft’s climate commitments while showcasing a viable, industrial pathway for large-scale, measurable carbon removal.

“Microsoft is pleased to build on our relationship with Exomad Green and Carbonfuture to deliver high-quality, high-impact, and high-integrity durable CDR through biochar,” comments Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy & Carbon Removal at Microsoft. 

“We value Exomad Green’s commitment to high standards for biomass sustainability and traceability through its establishment of a new Forest Monitoring Center and recognise biochar’s significant co-benefits for community and soil quality in addition to its carbon removal potential.”

Exomad Green continues to scale operations. 

Its facilities in Concepción and Riberalta have recently doubled production capacity, and a third site is currently under construction, with two more in development. 

These expansions are essential for meeting annual carbon removal goals and strengthening the role of biochar as a climate mitigation tool.

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