Microsoft locks in historic 1M-unit biochar deal to slash emissions and boost farms
Microsoft has agreed to purchase 1 million biochar carbon removal units from Liferaft over the next decade. The deal marks the largest biochar agreement in the U.S. to date and was arranged through carbon procurement platform Supercritical. The project aims to lock away carbon while improving soil quality for farming. The biochar will be produced at Liferaft's facilities in Iowa and Illinois. Workers will heat biomass in an oxygen-free environment to create the material. Once ready, it will be mixed with compost for use in agriculture.
Biochar helps soil retain nutrients, increases crop yields, and stores carbon dioxide for centuries. Liferaft will track results using measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems to confirm long-term storage. The project will also be listed on an ICROA-endorsed registry and independently verified. Microsoft's Director of Carbon Removal, Phillip Goodman, highlighted the project's potential benefits. Beyond carbon sequestration, the initiative is expected to create local jobs and support rural communities. As of March 2026, however, Liferaft has not expanded beyond its initial pilot in the U.S., with no additional large-scale projects planned or operating in any state.
The agreement secures 1 million carbon removal units for Microsoft over ten years. All biochar will come from Liferaft's existing Iowa and Illinois sites. The project's success will depend on ongoing monitoring and third-party verification to ensure lasting environmental and economic outcomes.
