Summary:
Microsoft's data center growth has increased its carbon emissions by 25%, threatening its 2030 carbon negative pledge
The tech giant has signed a 12-year deal with Vaulted Deep to remove 4.9 million metric tons of carbon
Vaulted Deep uses a reverse oil company model, injecting waste slurry underground to sequester carbon
Microsoft's carbon removal strategy also includes reforestation and paper mill carbon capture projects
Vaulted Deep was a runner-up in the Xprize Carbon competition and has raised $32 million in funding
Microsoft's Carbon Challenge
Microsoft's rapid expansion of data centers is putting its 2030 carbon negative pledge at risk. Since 2020, the company's carbon emissions have surged by nearly 25%, challenging its commitment to remove more carbon than it emits by the end of the decade.
The Vaulted Deep Solution
In a strategic move, Microsoft has announced a 12-year deal with Vaulted Deep, an Xprize startup, to purchase 4.9 million metric tons of carbon removal. Vaulted Deep's innovative approach mimics a reverse oil company, injecting carbon-rich waste deep underground instead of extracting fossil fuels.
How It Works
- Waste Collection: Vaulted Deep gathers solid waste like treated sewage and paper sludge.
- Slurry Creation: The waste is blended into a slurry.
- Underground Injection: Using fracking technology, the slurry is injected into porous rocks deep underground.
Microsoft's Carbon Removal Strategy
With 14.9 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions last year, Microsoft is doubling down on carbon removal investments. This includes:
- A 7 million metric ton deal with Chestnut Carbon for reforestation.
- A 3.7 million metric ton agreement with CO280 for capturing carbon from paper mills.
Vaulted Deep, a runner-up in the Xprize Carbon competition, has already removed over 18,000 metric tons of CO2 and raised a $32 million Series A led by Prelude Ventures.
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