Key Impact Points:

• Microsoft’s Carbon Removal Commitment: Ebb Carbon will remove up to 350,000 tonnes of CO2 over 10 years using its ocean-based technology.
• First-of-Its-Kind Verification Protocol: Isometric’s new Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) protocol ensures rigorous verification of carbon removal credits.
• Scaling Ocean-Based Carbon Solutions: The deal accelerates the development of ocean-based CO2 removal, with long-term potential for gigaton-scale impact.

Ebb Carbon has signed an agreement with Microsoft to remove up to 350,000 tonnes of CO2 over the next decade using Ebb’s innovative Electrochemical Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) technology. This pioneering approach enhances the ocean’s natural ability to draw down and store atmospheric carbon, while also reducing ocean acidity. The agreement kicks off with an initial delivery of 1,333 tonnes of CO2 removals, with options for significantly more over the years to come.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, Ebb Carbon will leverage Isometric’s newly announced OAE protocol, the first of its kind published by a carbon registry. This will guarantee that each credit delivered to Microsoft reflects one tonne of carbon removed.

Ben Tarbell, CEO of Ebb Carbon, emphasized the significance of the partnership:
“Microsoft is setting a powerful example with its commitment to becoming carbon negative by 2030 and by using its purchasing power to accelerate the most promising climate solutions. This agreement underscores the potential of Ebb Carbon’s technology to contribute meaningfully to gigaton-scale carbon removal in the years ahead.”

Microsoft’s Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy & Carbon Removal, praised the ocean’s role in carbon capture:
“Ebb has developed technology to leverage the natural attributes of the ocean – its massive surface area and natural processes that already pull CO2 from the atmosphere – to durably remove and store large volumes of atmospheric carbon. We are pleased to collaborate with Ebb to both accelerate the scientific foundation for ocean-based carbon dioxide removal and explore the potential of ocean-based carbon removal solutions at scale.”

Innovative Approach to Carbon Removal

Ebb Carbon’s OAE process uses bipolar electrodialysis (BPED) technology, which separates seawater into acidic and alkaline streams. The alkaline stream is then reintroduced to the ocean, mimicking a natural process that converts CO2 into bicarbonate ions, allowing the ocean to absorb more carbon from the atmosphere. This approach not only sequesters CO2 but also helps reduce ocean acidification, a growing threat to marine life and ecosystems.

Stacy Kauk, Chief Science Officer at Isometric, highlighted the importance of transparent carbon markets:
“It’s great to see Microsoft and Ebb using Isometric’s first-of-its-kind Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) protocol to verify carbon removal. This is another step towards creating trust and transparency in carbon markets.”

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A Solution with Gigaton-Scale Potential

The ocean, which has absorbed 30% of CO2 emissions since the industrial revolution, plays a crucial role in carbon removal. By enhancing this natural process, Ebb Carbon’s technology could potentially scale to remove vast quantities of CO2, positioning the company at the forefront of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR).

Founded in 2020, Ebb Carbon is already making strides in the carbon removal space, operating a pilot facility in partnership with the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The company raised $22 million in Series A funding and is a finalist for prestigious awards like the XPrize.

Ebb’s collaboration with Microsoft marks a significant step toward accelerating ocean-based carbon solutions and helping the world meet its climate goals.