Microsoft has once again extended unwavering support for carbon removal by announcing the purchase of 234,000 rainforest restoration credits from Mexico-based company Toroto. It creates a win-win situation, allowing Microsoft to both offset its carbon emissions and contribute to restoring the ecosystem of the forestland.
Microsoft’s Carbon Credit Deal Brings Hope for Mexico’s Rainforests
Toroto, a startup founded in 2019 specializes in nature-based solutions. It has been working to develop projects that enhance ecosystem services and combat climate change.
The press release from Toroto explains that these credits were generated by a nature-based project in the Calakmul region of Campeche, southeastern Mexico. They were issued under the Climate Action Reserve (CAR) Mexico Forest Protocol, and are the result of forest restoration efforts that actively remove atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Since 2021, a forest restoration project in this region has been working to regenerate over 47,000 hectares of tropical rainforest. This initiative promotes carbon sequestration while safeguarding a diverse ecosystem, home to endangered species like the Baird’s tapir and jaguar. The project not only protects wildlife but also provides essential services such as water filtration and habitat preservation.
By purchasing carbon credits from this project, Microsoft supports global climate goals while contributing to the conservation of this vast rainforest.
Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy and Carbon Removal at Microsoft says,
“The Conhuás project is an example of the potential for community-led ecosystem restoration to drive positive climate impact. We are pleased to collaborate with Toroto to help incentivize both natural ecosystem restoration and community-led climate action.”
Toroto’s Carbon Credits: Empowering Local Communities
Founded in 2019, Toroto has quickly become a leader in nature-based solutions. With projects across Mexico and aspirations to expand throughout Latin America and globally, the company focuses on large-scale ecological challenges. By balancing carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, and water conservation the company is building ecosystems that can endure climate change.
Moving on, the collaboration with the tech giant gives a major boost to its innovative climate solutions. This partnership not only advances Toronto’s global sustainability goals but is also immensely beneficial for the local communities.
For instance, The Conhuás ejido benefits directly from this carbon credit initiative. By selling these credits, the community earns crucial income while helping to preserve one of the largest rainforests in the neotropics.
The Conhuás Project
According to Santiago Espinosa de los Monteros Harispuru, CEO and Cofounder at Toroto,
“Microsoft’s commitment to the Conhuás project represents a very important milestone for climate action in Mexico. They are setting an example on how the private sector can invest in nature through mechanisms that channel resources directly to the conservation and restoration of the rainforest, while the guardians of this rainforest, the Conhuás community, acquire the technical and financial capacities to continue caring for its regeneration.”
Microsoft’s Carbon Negative Milestones: Tech-Driven Solutions
Microsoft continues to create milestones in carbon dioxide removal (CDR), advancing efforts to build large-scale, impactful projects. Last year it had been very eventful for the company as it procured 5.015 MMT of carbon removal credits as part of its drive toward carbon neutrality and negative emissions. These multi-year agreements are designed to help projects secure external financing while ensuring additional, durable, and measurable carbon credits that are net-negative.
MUST READ: Microsoft Strikes 2 Record-Breaking Carbon Credit Deals
Advancing High-Quality Carbon Removal
Additionally, contracts signed as of December 2023 are expected to contribute 875,000 metric tons toward the company’s 2030 target. These agreements include long-term carbon removal from reforestation in the Brazilian Amazon.
In 2023, the focus shifted to enhancing high-quality carbon removal through new investments and partnerships. Key innovations included advancements in digital monitoring, verification, and reporting (MRV), as well as improved efforts in ecosystem restoration.
- Yard Stick PBC: Provides in-ground soil carbon measurements, accelerating project development and ensuring high-quality credits.
- Vibrant Planet PBC: Uses AI to map forests, aiding in wildfire risk management, climate adaptation, and ecosystem service enhancement.
Partnerships between CarbonCure Technologies and Heirloom Technologies demonstrated the power of combining direct air capture with CO₂ storage in concrete. Heirloom captured CO₂ in California, and CarbonCure integrated it into concrete production in San Jose.
Microsoft remains dedicated to fighting climate change while supporting local ecosystems and communities. This partnership reflects Microsoft’s growing leadership in corporate sustainability, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can be a key element in achieving carbon neutrality while empowering local communities and preserving biodiversity.
FURTHER READING: Microsoft and Stockholm Exergi Strike Historic Deal for 3.33 MTs of Carbon Removal