Microsoft has once again shown its unwavering commitment to carbon removal by recently announcing the acquisition of 234,000 rainforest restoration credits from the Mexico-based company, Toroto. This move not only allows Microsoft to offset its carbon emissions but also contributes to the restoration of the ecosystem in the rainforests.
Toroto, a startup established in 2019, specializes in nature-based solutions aimed at enhancing ecosystem services and combating climate change. The credits purchased by Microsoft were generated through a nature-based project in the Calakmul region of Campeche, southeastern Mexico. These credits, issued under the Climate Action Reserve (CAR) Mexico Forest Protocol, result from forest restoration efforts actively removing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Since 2021, a forest restoration project in the Calakmul region has been working towards regenerating over 47,000 hectares of tropical rainforest. This initiative not only promotes carbon sequestration but also safeguards a diverse ecosystem that is home to endangered species such as the Baird’s tapir and jaguar. The project provides essential services like water filtration and habitat preservation. By investing in carbon credits from this project, Microsoft is supporting global climate goals while contributing to the conservation of this vast rainforest.
Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy and Carbon Removal at Microsoft, stated, “The Conhuás project is an example of the potential for community-led ecosystem restoration to drive positive climate impact. We are pleased to collaborate with Toroto to help incentivize both natural ecosystem restoration and community-led climate action.”
Founded in 2019, Toroto has rapidly emerged as a leader in nature-based solutions with projects across Mexico and plans for expansion throughout Latin America and globally. The company focuses on addressing large-scale ecological challenges by balancing carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, and water conservation.
The collaboration with Microsoft gives a significant boost to Toroto’s innovative climate solutions. This partnership not only advances Toroto’s global sustainability goals but also benefits local communities. For example, the Conhuás ejido directly benefits from the carbon credit initiative, earning crucial income while helping to preserve one of the largest rainforests in the neotropics.
According to Santiago Espinosa de los Monteros Harispuru, CEO and Co-founder at Toroto, “Microsoft’s commitment to the Conhuás project represents a very important milestone for climate action in Mexico. They are setting an example of how the private sector can invest in nature through mechanisms that channel resources directly to the conservation and restoration of the rainforest, while the guardians of this rainforest, the Conhuás community, acquire the technical and financial capacities to continue caring for its regeneration.”
Microsoft continues to achieve milestones in carbon dioxide removal (CDR), advancing efforts to develop large-scale, impactful projects. In the previous year, the company procured 5.015 MMT of carbon removal credits as part of its journey towards carbon neutrality and negative emissions.
These multi-year agreements are designed to assist projects in securing external financing while ensuring additional, durable, and measurable carbon credits that are net-negative. Contracts signed as of December 2023 are expected to contribute 875,000 metric tons towards the company’s 2030 target, including long-term carbon removal from reforestation in the Brazilian Amazon.
In 2023, Microsoft focused on enhancing high-quality carbon removal through new investments and partnerships. Innovations included advancements in digital monitoring, verification, and reporting (MRV), as well as improved efforts in ecosystem restoration. Yard Stick PBC provided in-ground soil carbon measurements to accelerate project development and ensure high-quality credits.
Vibrant Planet PBC utilized AI to map forests, aiding in wildfire risk management, climate adaptation, and ecosystem service enhancement. Partnerships between CarbonCure Technologies and Heirloom Technologies showcased the power of combining direct air capture with CO₂ storage in concrete. Heirloom captured CO₂ in California, and CarbonCure integrated it into concrete production in San Jose.
Microsoft remains dedicated to combating climate change while supporting local ecosystems and communities. This partnership highlights Microsoft’s growing leadership in corporate sustainability, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can play a crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality while empowering local communities and preserving biodiversity.
