UK firm’s largest CO₂ removal deal with Microsoft boosts scalable enhanced rock weathering potential

A UK-based ERW company has secured its biggest deal yet, signing a CO₂ removal agreement with Microsoft for nearly 29,000 tonnes of carbon capture by 2036, signalling a significant step forward for scalable natural carbon sequestration technologies.

A UK-based enhanced rock weathering (ERW) company has solidified its position in the carbon removal sector with the signing of its third and largest carbon dioxide removal (CDR) agreement with Microsoft. The new deal commits to delivering 28,900 tonnes of carbon removals by 2036, supported by debt financing from a Canadian climate fund. This agreement highlights Microsoft’s ongoing investment in emerging technologies that are critical to meeting its ambitious goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030 and removing all historic emissions by 2050.

Enhanced rock weathering is increasingly recognised as a promising natural carbon sequestration method. It involves spreading finely crushed silicate rocks, such as basalt or olivine, over agricultural lands where these minerals react with atmospheric CO₂, accelerating natural weathering processes and locking carbon into soils and oceans over long periods. The UK firm’s latest deal aims not only to contribute to carbon sequestration but also to advance the practical application and scalability of ERW technologies.

This deal follows Microsoft’s previous commitments to ERW, including a 12,000-tonne CO₂ removal agreement with Terradot from 2026 to 2029, which included funding for scientific monitoring aimed at building a stronger empirical understanding of ERW’s effectiveness at scale. Similarly, UNDO became Microsoft’s first ERW supplier by providing mineral-rich basalt rock for agricultural soil in the UK, designed to permanently remove approximately 5,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 20 years. These partnerships underscore Microsoft’s strategy of integrating both commercial deployment and scientific research in carbon removal initiatives to ensure credibility and impact.

The growing interest in ERW is also evident beyond Microsoft’s sphere. Frontier, a carbon capture buying consortium, inked a significant $33 million offtake agreement with American ERW firm Eion to secure the removal of 78,707 tonnes of CO₂ between 2027 and 2030. Eion deploys olivine across the US Midwest and Southern regions, capitalising on its fast-reacting properties to accelerate carbon sequestration in soils. Internationally, Mitsubishi Corporation and Alt Carbon have partnered to scale ERW carbon removal in South Asia, aiming to produce high-quality and durable carbon removal tonnes while promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

While the fundamentals and scientific basis of ERW are gaining traction, industry stakeholders stress the importance of robust data and monitoring to better quantify removals and the environmental co-benefits, such as soil health improvement. Microsoft and its partners’ multi-pronged approach — combining commercial contracts, scientific research, and diverse geographic applications — exemplifies how ERW might mature into a critical tool in the global climate mitigation arsenal.

As the various agreements illustrate, enhanced rock weathering is evolving into a key sector within voluntary carbon markets and climate-tech innovation. However, the technology remains nascent, and its long-term scalability and efficacy will depend on continued scientific validation, regulatory frameworks, and effective deployment strategies, particularly in diverse ecosystems worldwide.

📌 Reference Map:

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative presents a recent agreement between a UK-based enhanced rock weathering (ERW) company and Microsoft, committing to deliver 28,900 tonnes of carbon removals by 2036. This aligns with Microsoft’s ongoing investments in ERW technologies, as evidenced by their previous agreements with companies like Terradot and UNDO. The earliest known publication date of similar content is April 3, 2025, when Microsoft signed a 12,000-tonne CO₂ removal deal with Terradot. ([epicos.com](https://www.epicos.com/article/927802/terradot-signs-12000t-cdr-deal-microsoft-advance-critical-scientific-foundations?utm_source=openai)) The report does not appear to be recycled or republished across low-quality sites. The inclusion of updated data, such as the specific commitment of 28,900 tonnes by 2036, suggests a higher freshness score. However, the similarity to earlier reports indicates that the core narrative may have been previously covered. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score due to the timeliness of the information. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative does not include updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from individuals such as James Kanoff, CEO of Terradot, and Professor Scott Fendorf of Stanford University. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes indicates that they were first used in the context of Microsoft’s agreement with Terradot, published on April 3, 2025. ([epicos.com](https://www.epicos.com/article/927802/terradot-signs-12000t-cdr-deal-microsoft-advance-critical-scientific-foundations?utm_source=openai)) The identical wording of these quotes in the current report suggests that they are reused content. No variations in quote wording were found. The absence of online matches for the quotes in other contexts raises the score but flags the content as potentially original or exclusive.

Source reliability

Score:
7

Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, Carbon Pulse, which is known for its coverage of carbon markets and climate policy. This adds credibility to the report. However, the report is based on a press release, which may indicate a lack of independent verification. The reliance on a single source for the information introduces some uncertainty. The individuals and organisations mentioned, such as James Kanoff and Professor Scott Fendorf, are verifiable and have legitimate public presences.

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative makes a significant claim about a new agreement between a UK-based ERW company and Microsoft, committing to deliver 28,900 tonnes of carbon removals by 2036. This claim is plausible and aligns with Microsoft’s previous commitments to carbon removal, including their agreement with Terradot to remove 12,000 tonnes of CO₂ between 2026 and 2029. ([epicos.com](https://www.epicos.com/article/927802/terradot-signs-12000t-cdr-deal-microsoft-advance-critical-scientific-foundations?utm_source=openai)) The report lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The language and tone are consistent with typical corporate communications, and there are no signs of unusual phrasing or spelling variants. The structure is focused and relevant to the claim, with no excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for the subject matter.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The report presents a plausible and timely narrative about a new agreement between a UK-based ERW company and Microsoft, committing to deliver 28,900 tonnes of carbon removals by 2036. The quotes used are identical to those from earlier reports, indicating potential reuse of content. The reliance on a press release and the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets introduce some uncertainty. While the source is reputable, the absence of independent verification and the use of recycled content suggest a need for further scrutiny.