Key Takeaways:
– Microsoft will purchase 500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide removal credits from 1PointFive, an Occidental Petroleum subsidiary.
– This agreement is the largest single carbon removal deal in history.
– The CO2 will be captured by a direct air capture (DAC) facility currently being developed at the Stratos plant in Texas.
– Microsoft previously made its first long-term carbon removal purchase with Climeworks in 2022 for the removal of 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
Microsoft Makes Mammoth Carbon Removal Purchase
In its quest to become carbon negative by 2030, Microsoft has taken a significant stride by securing a deal to buy 500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide removal credits. The agreement is with 1PointFive, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum and sets a record as the largest single carbon removal deal to date.
Carbon Capture: A Critical Strategy
1PointFive is currently building a direct air capture (DAC) facility at the Stratos plant in Texas. This type of facility is geared towards removing carbon from the atmosphere by extracting it from the air for storage or use. Commencing operations next year, the facility will assist Microsoft in its mission to combat climate change.
The CO2 captured in the deal with Microsoft will be stored underground, according to reports. Direct air capture is one of several strategies used to mitigate the threat of global warming. It offers a method to reduce the amount of CO2, one of the primary greenhouse gases that contribute significantly to climate change.
Microsoft’s Rising Emissions
Despite the computing giant’s ambitious goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030, it’s been recorded that its emissions keep rising. Primarily, this surge is driven by the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and tools such as ChatGPT, which require energy-intensive computing and construction of data centers.
By purchasing carbon off-sets through its deal with 1PointFive, Microsoft seeks to counterbalance its carbon impacts. This kind of initiative is crucial, as large tech companies like Microsoft contribute substantially to global CO2 levels through their extensive data center operations.
Comparison with Industry Peers
It’s important to note that Microsoft’s move aligns with initiatives taken by other tech giants. In September, Amazon struck a deal to purchase 250,000 metric tons of CO2 removal credits from 1PointFive. This deal represents half the volume of Microsoft’s latest agreement, underlining the scale of Microsoft’s commitment to the environment.
Prior to this, Microsoft initiated its first long-term carbon removal purchase in 2022 with Climeworks. The deal involved the removal of 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide, showing how the company’s engagement in carbon removal has developed over the years.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s deal with 1PointFive will not just aid its quest to offset emissions, but also positions it as an industry-leading force in the fight against global warming. As it builds and expands its AI and data centre operations, such large-scale afforestation efforts will remain vital. This agreement showcases how tech giants can leveraging their resources to combat climate change.
