Microsoft has strengthened its position as a leader in nature-based carbon removals by signing a new agreement with Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands. The 10-year contract secures 4.8 million tonnes of carbon removal credits generated through improved forest management (IFM) practices across the US.
An aerial view of a reforestation site in New York State, with vast rows of young trees stretching across the landscape. AI generated picture.
This new deal expands on a previous 2024 collaboration between the three parties, which saw Microsoft purchase over 970,000 tonnes of IFM-based credits. It also follows closely on the heels of the company’s separate commitment to 2.6 million tonnes of soil carbon removal credits from Agoro Carbon, all part of Microsoft’s ambition to reach carbon negativity by 2030.
‘We believe transparent and high-integrity nature-based carbon removal is important to meeting Microsoft’s Carbon Negative 2030 goal’, said Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy & Carbon Removal at Microsoft. ‘This agreement with Anew and Aurora reflects our commitment to advancing the integrity and impact of improved forest management.’
Aurora, a joint venture formed by Anew and equity investors including Oak Hill Advisors, AB CarVal, EIG, and GenZero, acquires and actively manages industrial forestland. The company currently oversees more than 1.7 million acres across the US, applying IFM strategies to enhance natural carbon storage.
Read more: Greening the blueprint: Microsoft's 2030 carbon negativity roadmap
CEO Jamie Houston emphasised the company’s vertically integrated model: As both landowner and operator, Aurora manages all aspects from ‘root to credit.’ Anew Climate brings these credits to market and provides the technological backbone for performance tracking and verification.
The credits purchased by Microsoft will support the conservation and management of over 425,000 acres of forest in states including New York, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida. To ensure long-term carbon storage, Anew will deploy its proprietary Epoch Evaluation Platform. The platform uses satellite imagery, drone data, machine learning, and field-based monitoring to confirm carbon baselines and validate performance over time.
The deal signals continued momentum in large-scale corporate procurement of verifiable carbon removals, especially those rooted in natural ecosystems and long-term land stewardship.
Read more: Meta seeks industrial partners to reach net-zero by 2030
As industry leaders like Microsoft invest in long-term carbon removal through forest conservation and improved land stewardship, the demand for partners who deliver verifiable, nature-based results is only growing. At DGB Group, we meet this demand with certified projects that restore ecosystems, support biodiversity, and generate high-quality carbon units with measurable impact. As a publicly listed company on Euronext, we offer transparent, credible solutions that help organisations achieve environmental goals with confidence. Whether you're scaling sustainability efforts or building a net-positive portfolio, the path to real impact starts here. Learn how you can be part of the solution—starting today.
