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Microsoft has secured nearly 37,000 tons of carbon removal credits from Indian climate tech startup Alt Carbon to support its environmental goals.
Microsoft has entered into a partnership with Indian climate tech startup Alt Carbon to secure nearly 37,000 tons of carbon removal credits [1]. This agreement marks a significant development for the startup, which focuses on utilizing enhanced rock weathering techniques to address climate change [1].
Key takeaways
Alt Carbon, launched in late 2023, originated from the Agarwal family’s efforts to revitalize their struggling tea estate in Darjeeling [2]. After initially exploring carbon markets to support the tea industry, the founders pivoted to enhanced rock weathering as a more effective climate solution [2]. The process involves applying basalt rock dust—a byproduct of the construction industry—to fields of rice, bamboo, and tea [2]. When rainwater interacts with this dust, it forms stable bicarbonate ions that are eventually stored in the ocean, effectively sequestering carbon for more than 10,000 years [2].
The startup has already conducted pilot programs on approximately 500 acres of land near their family estate and has since expanded its operations across North Bengal [2]. To manage logistics, the company utilizes existing freight transportation systems, such as rail and diesel trucks, to move the rock dust from volcanic igneous provinces to agricultural sites [2]. By integrating this process into existing farming practices, Alt Carbon seeks to provide both environmental benefits and increased crop yields for local farmers [2].
The partnership highlights the growing corporate interest in high-quality carbon removal projects as companies work toward their sustainability targets. Alt Carbon’s founders have expressed a commitment to moving away from what they describe as "low quality" avoidance-based credits, favoring instead the permanent removal offered by rock weathering [2]. With a long-term goal of reaching 500,000 hectares of land and removing 5 million tons of carbon by 2030, the startup is positioning itself as a key player in the South Asian climate tech sector [2]. The $12 million in seed funding secured in 2025 provides the necessary capital to scale these operations and further develop their infrastructure [2].
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Jun 12, 2026 · How we report
It is a carbon removal technique that involves spreading crushed silicate rocks, such as basalt, on farmland to accelerate natural chemical reactions that store atmospheric carbon dioxide as stable bicarbonates.
India offers large-scale agricultural economies and significant volumes of biomass, providing opportunities for durable carbon removal projects that help Microsoft work toward its carbon-negative goal.
Biochar is a charcoal-like material produced from agricultural waste that stores carbon for long periods when added to soil, while also potentially improving soil health.
Startups must navigate complex logistics involving thousands of smallholder farmers and meet rigorous, often bespoke, monitoring and verification standards to prove their carbon removal claims.