Google has embarked on a pioneering carbon removal project, purchasing 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal credits from Varaha, an Indian startup. This deal signifies a first of its kind for Google with an Indian carbon project and distinguishably makes it the largest biochar carbon removal deal worldwide.
Varaha, based in New Delhi, has exclusive rights to these credits which will be delivered to Google by 2030. The credits will be generated from Varaha’s industrial biochar project in Gujarat, Western India.
The biochar, often referred to as horticultural charcoal or soil’s “black gold”, will be industrially produced with Varaha’s large reactors, processing locally harvested invasive plant species, Prosopis Juliflora. Notably, by harvesting this invasive plant, native grasslands will be restored, creating a win-win situation for the environment and climate change.
Despite the potential carbon removal lifespan of biochar ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 years, Varaha, through meticulous and strategic efforts, aims to achieve a permanence close to 1,600 years.
Varaha stands out for its tech-driven approach, utilizing digital monitoring, reporting, and verification system. This system incorporates remote sensing to ensure biomass availability, while a mobile app provides geo-tagged time-stamped images to document the biomass excavation and field application of biochar accurately.
Google’s acquisition of carbon credits showcases its commitment to offsetting emissions with sustainable activities. It has set an ambitious goal to reach net-zero emissions across all its operations by 2030. This deal with Varaha underscores the significant role biochar has in carbon removal due to its scalability and benefits for soil health.
Lastly, it is worth noting the immense contribution of Varaha on a global scale, currently operating 14 tech-driven carbon projects, significantly impacting local communities and contributing to greenhouse gas removal.
Original source: Read the full article on TechCrunch
