$18M tonne offtake deal sets global benchmark: One of the largest single-buyer carbon removal commitments ever, structured over 15–20 years.
Corporate capital mobilization: Microsoft’s long-term offtakes are expected to unlock private investment for high-integrity, scalable climate projects.
New evaluation framework launched: Jointly developed standards align with Microsoft’s science-based criteria and Rubicon’s rigorous due diligence protocols.
Microsoft has signed a landmark framework agreement with Rubicon Carbon to purchase 18 million tonnes of high-quality nature-based carbon removal credits, in what is among the largest single-buyer carbon credit deals globally.
Each transaction under this agreement will be structured as a 15- to 20-year offtake, supporting a global pipeline of Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) projects. The scale and duration of this deal mark a pivotal shift in how large corporates can drive capital to climate-positive infrastructure.
“Addressing climate change requires more than good intentions—it requires capital deployment at scale,” said Tom Montag, CEO of Rubicon Carbon. “This collaboration serves as a blueprint for how the financial sector can meet the urgency of the moment while also generating strong financial returns.”
This agreement is designed not only to purchase removals but to catalyze the broader market for scalable, science-aligned carbon solutions. By anchoring long-term demand, Microsoft’s commitment sends a strong signal to investors and developers alike.
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“We believe that project finance needs to be central to the voluntary carbon market,” said Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy & Carbon Removal at Microsoft. “This deal signals the long-term demand for carbon removal necessary to mobilize infrastructure-grade investment and world-class execution.”
Rubicon and Microsoft have co-developed a new evaluation framework that integrates Microsoft’s climate science and quality standards with Rubicon’s robust protocols. Rubicon will source, vet, and monitor ARR projects globally, with an emphasis on underfunded initiatives showing high potential for scale.
The agreement underscores the maturing role of carbon markets as both a climate solution and a financial asset class—where returns and responsibility can coexist.
“We launched Rubicon Carbon three years ago to catalyze high-quality carbon projects at scale,” said Jim Coulter, Founding Partner of TPG and Managing Partner at TPG Rise Climate. “This agreement with Microsoft represents an important milestone on our journey to deliver innovative, market-based solutions.”
Rubicon’s in-house science team will provide continuous quality assurance using advanced remote-sensing technologies, ensuring long-term integrity and transparency. For institutional investors and corporate sustainability leaders, this signals a new era of credible, long-horizon climate investing.
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