Google Tackles Climate Change with Record $2 Billion Carbon Removal Deal

Google has made its largest carbon removal deal to date, partnering with Terradot on an enhanced rock weathering project in Brazil. The agreement will remove 1 million tons of CO2e equivalent methane by 2030 and another 1 million tons of carbon by 2040.

The new partnership combines near-term methane elimination with durable carbon removal at scale, marking a significant milestone for Google's GHG removal program. This program has focused on projects targeting superpollutants like methane, which have a stronger warming impact in the short term but remain in the atmosphere for a shorter time, and those addressing long-term carbon emissions.

Randy Spock, Head of Carbon Removal at Google, said: 'While most climate solutions are focused on either short- or long-term horizons, our partnership with Terradot will tackle both timelines simultaneously. It will combine superpollutant elimination and carbon removal to deliver megaton-scale climate impact by 2030, and make it last permanently.'

The project involves rice farmers in Brazil adopting Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation practices, reducing water use and methane emissions. Terradot will also spread crushed volcanic rock on farmland to generate durable carbon removal.

This is the largest ERW project ever undertaken and marks a significant step towards making climate action more efficient and effective in both near-term and long-term horizons. The companies aim to provide a replicable path for tackling climate change through this partnership.