In a significant step toward addressing global carbon emissions, Google has entered into a landmark agreement with Varaha, an Indian startup, to purchase 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal credits. This marks Google’s first carbon project partnership in India and the largest deal globally involving biochar, a carbon-rich material also known as horticultural charcoal or “black gold” for its soil-enhancing properties.
Delivering Carbon Credits by 2030
Varaha will supply the carbon credits by 2030 from its industrial biochar initiative based in Gujarat. The project will leverage biomass-derived biochar to mitigate carbon emissions. While the financial details remain undisclosed, the partnership highlights Varaha’s growing prominence as the only Indian company listed on Puro.Earth, a global carbon removal standard and registry.
What Is Biochar, and Why Does It Matter?
Biochar is produced using two primary methods:
- Artisanal: A community-based approach where farmers burn crop residues in conical flasks without machinery.
- Industrial: A large-scale method that utilizes reactors to process 50–60 tons of biomass daily.
Varaha’s industrial process focuses on converting Prosopis Juliflora, an invasive plant species disrupting biodiversity and grazing lands, into biochar. This effort not only addresses carbon emissions but also helps restore native grasslands vital for livestock.
“By harvesting Prosopis Juliflora and producing biochar, we aim to restore ecological balance while creating a scalable solution for carbon removal,” said Madhur Jain, co-founder and CEO of Varaha.
Ensuring Carbon Removal Permanence
Biochar is recognized as a long-term carbon removal solution, with its permanence—how long carbon remains stored in soil—lasting between 1,000 and 2,500 years, depending on production and environmental factors. Varaha’s advanced techniques have achieved a permanence of approximately 1,600 years, ensuring reliable carbon storage.
Advanced Monitoring and Verification
To ensure transparency, Varaha integrates a cutting-edge digital monitoring system that uses remote sensing to track biomass availability. Additionally, the company’s mobile app captures geo-tagged, time-stamped images to document processes like biomass collection and biochar application.
Varaha produced 10,000 tons of biochar last year by processing 40,000 tons of biomass. With its existing capabilities, the startup is confident of meeting its 2030 target of producing 100,000 tons of biochar, translating to 250,000 carbon credits annually.
Scaling Impact and Global Significance
Each ton of biochar generates 2.5 carbon credits, and Varaha is aiming for one million credits annually by 2030. Carbon credits, representing the removal or reduction of one ton of carbon dioxide, enable companies to offset their emissions by supporting sustainable initiatives.
This partnership places Google at the forefront of large-scale carbon removal efforts. It also eclipses a previous biochar deal involving Senken and Exomad Green, which covered 81,600 tons of credits. However, the scale of Google’s emissions—14.3 million tons of CO₂ equivalent in 2023—underscores the challenges ahead, especially as AI development accelerates emissions growth.
Transforming Agriculture and Beyond
Beyond carbon removal, Varaha has pioneered sustainable practices across 14 tech-driven carbon projects in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Kenya. The startup has helped transition over 100,000 farmers to eco-friendly methods, removing more than 2 million tons of greenhouse gases.
“We’ve established the capacity to process 40,000 tons of biomass annually. Scaling this up will allow us to achieve our ambitious goals while contributing to soil health and biodiversity restoration,” Jain added.
Investment and Vision
Varaha’s innovative approach has garnered significant investor support, raising $12.7 million, including $8.7 million in Series A funding. Key backers include RTP Global, Omnivore, Orios Venture Partners, and Japan’s Norinchukin Bank.
Google’s Commitment to Carbon Neutrality
Google’s partnership with Varaha aligns with its pledge to achieve net-zero emissions across all operations and supply chains by 2030. “Biochar is a scalable carbon removal solution with proven benefits for soil health,” said Randy Spock, Google’s carbon removal lead.
As the demand for sustainable carbon removal solutions grows, partnerships like this signify a promising shift toward combating climate change while fostering innovative practices globally.
Source: TechCrunch