Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has entered into a significant agreement with Ebb Carbon to address carbon emissions through marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR). This collaboration highlights Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint by utilizing innovative technologies that enhance the ocean’s capacity to store carbon dioxide. The partnership also emphasizes the importance of addressing ocean acidification, a growing environmental concern affecting marine ecosystems. Microsoft aims to become carbon negative by 2030, and this initiative is a step towards achieving that goal.
Similar endeavors in the past have seen Microsoft engage in carbon removal projects with various organizations, including Running Tide, focusing on ocean-based solutions. Previous agreements have spanned multiple approaches, such as direct air capture (DAC), biochar-based projects, and BECCS-based carbon removal, reflecting the company’s commitment to exploring different carbon mitigation strategies. These efforts align with Microsoft’s broader sustainability objectives and demonstrate the potential for diverse solutions in combating climate change.
What is Ebb Carbon’s Innovative Approach?
Ebb Carbon, founded by former executives from Tesla, SolarCity, and Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) X, has developed an Electrochemical Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) method. This technique accelerates the ocean’s natural ability to absorb carbon by separating seawater into acidic and alkaline streams, returning the latter to the ocean. The alkaline stream facilitates the conversion of CO2 into bicarbonate ions, thus increasing the ocean’s capacity to absorb more atmospheric carbon. This approach not only aids in carbon removal but also mitigates ocean acidification, benefiting marine life and ecosystems.
How Does Microsoft Plan to Utilize this Partnership?
Initially, Ebb Carbon will deliver 1,333 tonnes of carbon removal to Microsoft, with the potential to expand to 350,000 tonnes over the next decade. This agreement is part of Microsoft’s broader initiative to leverage the ocean’s natural properties for carbon removal. The tech giant’s strategy includes collaborating with Ebb Carbon to advance scientific understanding and scale ocean-based solutions. The agreement is among several recent deals that form Microsoft’s comprehensive approach to carbon negativity.
Brian Marrs, a Senior Director at Microsoft, emphasized the ocean’s crucial role in the carbon cycle.
“The ocean is a critical part of the carbon cycle. Ebb has developed technology to leverage the natural attributes of the ocean – its massive surface area and natural ocean processes that already pull CO2 from the atmosphere – to durably remove and store large volumes of atmospheric carbon. We are pleased to collaborate with Ebb to both accelerate the scientific foundation for ocean-based carbon dioxide removal and explore the potential of ocean-based carbon removal solutions at scale.”
The agreement includes using Isometric’s OAE protocol for verifying and monitoring carbon removal, ensuring transparency and scientific validity. According to Stacy Kauk, Chief Science Officer at Isometric,
“OAE is promising because of the vast surface area of the ocean. This same fact requires careful monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV). Isometric’s protocol requires measurements and the use of internationally recognized ocean models to quantify carbon removal so buyers and suppliers can be sure one credit equals one tonne of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. This is another step towards creating trust and transparency in carbon markets.”
Microsoft’s collaboration with Ebb Carbon represents a continuation of its efforts to utilize diverse carbon removal technologies as part of its sustainability agenda. By addressing both carbon emissions and ocean health, the initiative underscores the interconnectedness of environmental challenges and solutions. As more companies explore such partnerships, the potential for scalable carbon removal and environmental restoration could pave the way for broader adoption and innovation in sustainability practices.
