Microsoft announced the expansion of its partnership with carbon dioxide removal (CDR) provider re.green. The expansion entails the tech giant signing a second offtake agreement for the removal of carbon dioxide.
As part of this new deal, Microsoft will purchase nearly 3.5 million metric tonnes of CO2. With this deal, the total amount of CO2 to be removed goes up to 6.5 million tonnes.
Ecological Restoration in the Amazon and Atlantic Forests
Re.green specializes in ecological restoration and offers high quality carbon offsets. The company works towards restoring degraded lands and improving biodiversity in the Amazon and Atlantic forests. Through this collaboration, the companies will restore 33,000 hectares of land. The restoration effort is focused on revitalizing areas in some of the world’s most biodiverse biomes.
Also read: Microsoft and Royal Bank of Canada Buy 10,000 Carbon Removal Credits from Deep Sky
The partners have achieved some remarkable results. So far, they have already planted more than 4.4 million seedlings of native species on degraded lands that stretch to over 11,000 hectares. The seedlings comprise 80 different species.
Focus for Restoration Efforts
The partnership now targets three main areas in Brazil: western Maranhão, eastern Pará, and southern Bahia. Additionally, they are focusing on parts of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais in the Atlantic Forest. The goal is to improve the ecological balance in these regions. The initiative will enhance the flow of species and processes like pollination, seed dispersal, and genetic diversity.
Supporting Local Communities Through Restoration
This ecological restoration project also offers numerous benefits to local communities. Over 230 people have been directly employed in restoration efforts. These community members are gaining skills in seed collection, native bee honey production, and wildfire prevention. Re.green has also partnered with 29 local native seedlings nurseries, further boosting the local economy.
A Strong Commitment to Climate and Biodiversity Goals
Marcelo Medeiros, Chairman and Co-Founder of re.green, stated that the second agreement with Microsoft “signals a maturing ecological restoration sector.” He added that it highlights re.green’s commitment to its mission of advancing large scale tropical forest restoration. The project benefits climate, biodiversity, and local communities in the region.
This expanded partnership between Microsoft and re.green is a significant step forward in the fight against climate change. The initiative will help mitigate CO2 emissions by restoring critical ecosystems in Brazil, which will benefit both the environment and local communities.
