Google's Carbon Removal Deal with Indian Farms: A Step Towards Net-Zero Emissions

Google has signed a significant deal with Indian startup Varaha, agreeing to purchase 100,000 tons of biochar-based carbon removal credits by 2030. This deal is part of Google's broader commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 and aligns with its sustainability goals. By investing in nature-based carbon removal solutions, Google is not only offsetting its emissions but also supporting smallholder farmers and promoting ecosystem restoration.

Varaha, based in New Delhi, produces biochar—a form of carbon-rich charcoal used for soil enhancement and carbon sequestration—using an industrial process in Gujarat. The project sources biomass from Prosopis Juliflora, an invasive plant that disrupts local ecosystems, converting it into biochar through pyrolysis. The startup plans to restore native grasslands affected by the plant's spread, creating a positive environmental impact.

Google's investment in Varaha's biochar project is part of its strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and support sustainable development. By purchasing carbon removal credits, Google is offsetting a portion of its emissions, bringing it closer to its net-zero target. This deal is also a testament to Google's commitment to supporting smallholder farmers, as Varaha's approach supports over 100,000 small farmers across South Asia and East Africa by providing them with sustainable practices and removing over 2 million tons of greenhouse gases.



Google's involvement in carbon removal projects is not limited to its deal with Varaha. The tech giant has also made a deal with Brazilian startup Mombak, agreeing to purchase 50,000 metric tons of nature-based carbon removal credits by 2030. This marks the first instance of Google investing in forestry-based carbon removal credits. Additionally, Google has entered into a long-term purchase agreement and made a direct equity investment with Terradot, a carbon removal startup, to help scale its enhanced rock weathering (ERW) carbon removal technology. Google will purchase 200,000 tons of carbon removal credits, delivered in the early 2030s.

Google's carbon removal efforts align with its broader sustainability goals and carbon neutrality timeline. By investing in nature-based solutions, supporting smallholder farmers, and collaborating with other tech giants, Google is demonstrating its leadership in the tech industry's efforts to combat climate change. The Symbiosis Coalition, co-founded by Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce, is an advanced market commitment for nature-based removal credits in the voluntary carbon market. The companies have collectively committed to contracting up to 20 million tons of these credits by 2030, setting a new benchmark for best-in-class nature restoration projects with a high certainty of positive climate impact.

In conclusion, Google's carbon removal deal with Indian farms is a significant step towards achieving its net-zero emissions goal by 2030. By investing in nature-based solutions, supporting smallholder farmers, and collaborating with other tech giants, Google is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and combating climate change. As the tech industry continues to grow and consume more energy, deals like these will become increasingly important in offsetting emissions and promoting a more sustainable future.