Microsoft and Rubicon Carbon Forge Landmark Deal to Scale Nature-Based Carbon Removal
Overview
Microsoft has entered into a groundbreaking agreement with Rubicon Carbon to purchase 18 million tonnes of high-quality carbon removal credits. This long-term partnership is set to reshape the voluntary carbon market by unlocking large-scale private investment in nature-based climate solutions.
A Historic Commitment to Climate Action
In one of the largest single-buyer commitments in the voluntary carbon market to date, Microsoft has partnered with Rubicon Carbon to secure 18 million tonnes of carbon removal credits. These credits will be sourced from global Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) projects, structured through 15 to 20 year offtake agreements. This scale of commitment signals a major shift in how corporations can lead climate action through long-term, science-backed investments.
Financing the Future of Carbon Removal
The deal is more than just a purchase, it's a financial blueprint. Rubicon Carbon and Microsoft are demonstrating how corporate capital can catalyze high integrity carbon projects that might otherwise struggle to secure funding. By anchoring long term offtakes, Microsoft is helping to de-risk investments and attract additional capital to the sector. As Rubicon CEO Tom Montag put it, “Addressing climate change requires more than good intentions—it requires capital deployment at scale.”
Science-Driven, Market-Ready
At the heart of this collaboration is a shared commitment to scientific rigor and quality. Rubicon Carbon has developed a bespoke evaluation framework aligned with Microsoft’s stringent criteria, ensuring that only the most credible and scalable projects are selected. Their in-house science team will continuously monitor project performance using cutting-edge remote sensing technologies, ensuring transparency and accountability.
A Model for Market Transformation
This partnership is a signal to the broader market: carbon removal is no longer a niche initiative—it’s infrastructure-grade. Microsoft’s Brian Marrs emphasized the importance of integrating project finance into the voluntary carbon market to mobilize the scale of investment needed for global impact. The collaboration sets a precedent for how science, finance, and innovation can converge to accelerate climate solutions.
