Microsoft has extended its link up with rock weathering firm UNDO to remove thousands of tonnes of CO2 through using crushed rock and rain.

The extension of their partnership aims to permanently remove 15,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere as well as fund scientific research into enhanced rock weathering.

This is the process where crushed silicate rock is spread widely across farmland.
This mixes with rainwater to create a chemical reaction and more CO2 from the atmosphere is locked into the ground, riverbeds and sea floor through the spread out rock.

Through the initiative 65,000 tonnes of crushed basalt will be spread on land in the UK, with 25,000 tonnes of wollastonite spread across rural areas in Canada.

Microsoft senior director of energy markets Brian Marrs says the partnership is part of its commitment to be carbon-negative by 2023.

“We are excited to support UNDO’s enhanced rock weathering carbon removal projects with co-benefits for soils, farmers, and rural communities.

“With this follow-on deal, we look forward to working with the UNDO team who will pioneer further deep science across different measurement techniques and at varying scales to deliver crucial enhanced rock weathering process data.”

Microsoft and UNDO’s partnership launched last year and initially involved removing 5,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere by spreading 25,000 tonnes of basalt in the UK.

What is Enhanced Rock Weathering?

1. Crushed silicate rock is spread on farmland
2. Rainfall reacts with the widely spread rock to capture CO2 in bicarbonate form.
3. Nutrients from the rock improve soil health and crop yield
4. Bicarbonates wash into rivers and fall to the ocean floor locking away the CO2 within
5. Alkaline bicarbonates tackle ocean acidification and support the formation of shells.

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