Microsoft partners with farmers to slash 2.6 million tons of carbon as part of a 12-year offtake deal with Agoro Carbon, a U.S.-based supplier of carbon removal systems focused on agriculture. Under this agreement, Microsoft will receive 2.6 million carbon credits, marking one of the most significant soil-based carbon removal pledges.

Yara, a crop nutrition firm located in Norway, introduced Agoro Carbon in 2021. The company collaborates with ranchers and farmers to store carbon in the soil through regenerative agriculture methods. These include better grazing, reduced tillage, and cover crops. In addition to lowering atmospheric carbon, the practices aim to enhance food security, biodiversity, water retention, and overall agricultural resilience.

The company states that these measures help farmers earn carbon credits, increase yields, improve input efficiency, and strengthen resilience to adverse weather conditions. Agoro Carbon provides agronomic and financial assistance to support producers during implementation.

A Farmer-Focused, Data-Driven Model

According to Elliot Formal, CEO of Agoro Carbon, the agreement with Microsoft powerfully endorses the company’s farmer-focused, quality-driven approach. He also focused on Agoro’s active support system, where agronomists provide continuous support for important, durable results. Formal also underscored operational resilience and sustainability amid climate uncertainty.

Microsoft partners with farmers to slash 2.6 million tons of carbon through such high-quality carbon reduction programs as Agoro’s, which it is convinced meet its rigorous standards. The program employs a data-driven approach, encompassing field-level soil sampling, sophisticated modeling, and rigorous third-party auditing. These factors provide for durability and transparency throughout removal.

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Microsoft’s Expanding Carbon Removal Portfolio

Microsoft remains the largest corporate purchaser of carbon removal credits globally. The company reported contracting nearly 22 million tons of carbon removal in the past year alone, as part of its broader mission to become carbon negative by 2030.

In recent weeks, Microsoft has launched several large-scale carbon removal initiatives involving various technologies, such as biochar, forest management, BECCS (bio-energy carbon capture and storage), and reforestation. It has also signed another soil-based carbon removal agreement with Indigo Ag.

Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy Markets at Microsoft, stated that Agoro Carbon’s approach reflects the scientific rigor and long-term impact Microsoft seeks. He added that this agreement supports agriculture-based climate solutions that can deliver measurable results at scale.

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