Microsoft hit pause on carbon removal purchases. Now what?

The nascent industry just lost its biggest buyer, at least temporarily. But some carbon removal technology is designed to survive without corporate support.

[Source Photo: Getty Images

News that Microsoft was reportedly planning to pause its carbon removal purchases has rocked the still-nascent carbon removal industry. The company helped drive the market: In fiscal year 2025 alone, it made deals with 21 companies around the world to remove a record 45 million tons of CO2.

Those deals included new contracts with companies like Re.green, which is restoring a swath of the Amazon rainforest, and Vaulted, which........

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