Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has entered into a significant agreement with Indian climate tech company Varaha to purchase 100,000 tonnes of biochar-based carbon removal credits by 2030. This initiative is part of Google’s broader strategy to offset its carbon footprint and support scalable climate solutions. Varaha, a company focused on nature-based solutions, works closely with smallholder farmers, aiming to integrate them into global climate action through innovative practices like biochar production. The facility in Gujarat, India, which produces these credits, represents a shift in how invasive species can be repurposed for environmental benefits.
Why is Google focusing on biochar?
Biochar, a form of biological charcoal, is created by heating biomass such as crop residue and invasive species without oxygen. When buried in soil, it locks carbon for centuries while simultaneously improving soil fertility. This dual benefit has made biochar an attractive option for carbon sequestration. Google acknowledged the scalability potential of biochar, emphasizing its side effects, such as enhanced soil health, as a critical factor. This partnership marks one of the largest biochar-related carbon removal agreements to date, positioning Google as an influential player in expanding its adoption.
What role does Varaha play in this initiative?
Varaha, established in 2022, focuses on smallholder-led carbon removal solutions. Its Gujarat facility converts Prosopis juliflora, an invasive woody species, into biochar using high-temperature pyrolysis. This approach not only removes carbon but also addresses environmental challenges caused by the invasive species, such as groundwater depletion. The biochar is subsequently used as a soil amendment to boost agricultural productivity. The company aims to sequester 1 billion tonnes of CO2e globally, with smallholder farmers playing an instrumental role in achieving this target.
Previous reports on Google’s climate initiatives reveal similar investments in large-scale carbon removal projects, such as its $35 million pledge for carbon credits in 2023. However, this collaboration with Varaha introduces a unique focus on smallholder farmers and utilizes invasive species in biochar production—elements not emphasized in earlier efforts.
Varaha expressed optimism about the partnership, highlighting its potential to validate smallholder-led carbon removal and foster demand for biochar among farmers. Google plans to collaborate further by studying the ecological impacts of removing Prosopis juliflora in India. Varaha’s CEO, Madhur Jain, pointed out:
“Our team is thrilled that Google has chosen to invest in Varaha’s mission of mobilizing smallholder farmers to remove carbon from the atmosphere at a planetary scale. Smallholders steward 12% of the world’s agricultural land, including in some of the regions most vulnerable to climate change.”
Google’s Carbon Removal Lead, Randy Spock, echoed this sentiment, stating:
“Biochar is a promising approach to carbon removal, because it has the ability to scale worldwide, using existing technology, with positive side effects for soil health.”
This collaboration bridges technological innovation and agricultural practices, offering solutions that support climate goals while improving rural livelihoods. By involving smallholder farmers, it ensures that the benefits of carbon finance reach grassroots levels, creating a sustainable model for future carbon removal initiatives. Additionally, utilizing invasive species like Prosopis juliflora reflects an innovative way to address ecological challenges while contributing to climate action.
The potential of biochar lies not only in its ability to sequester carbon but also in its wider benefits for soil health and ecosystem restoration. For similar future projects, fostering community engagement and addressing environmental challenges like invasive species could maximize both ecological and social impact. The Google-Varaha partnership provides a template for balancing corporate climate commitments with grassroots participation.
