Microsoft burnishes green cred by paying Swedes to burn biomass and bury CO2
Microsoft has upped its game by extending its carbon removal agreement with Stockholm Exergi, committing to purchase 500,000 tonnes of carbon removal each year for the next ten years. This move, seen by critics as a potential greenwashing tactic, emphasizes the complexities of climate responsibility in the tech sector.
Key Points
- Microsoft has extended its carbon removal deal, now committing to a total of 5.08 million tonnes over ten years.
- The agreement focuses on bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), which aims to remove CO2 by burning biomass and permanently storing the emissions underground.
- Critics argue that such offsetting strategies might distract from real decarbonization efforts, enabling big corporations to continue polluting.
- The biomass sourcing practices will adhere to strict sustainable criteria, ensuring no feedstock comes from long-lived product woods.
- Environmental organisations are cautious, warning that these methods could exacerbate climate issues rather than mitigate them.
Why should I read this?
If you’re keen on understanding the real impact of corporate climate initiatives, this article offers valuable insights into the ongoing debate about carbon offsetting schemes. With major players like Microsoft navigating these waters, the implications of their contracts could set important precedents for environmental accountability in the tech industry. Save yourself the scrolling; we’ve unpacked the details for you!