• Microsoft purchases 80,000 metric tons of carbon removals from Blue Creek Forest.
• The project supports the conservation of 47,000 acres of temperate rainforest.
• Carbon credit revenue helps repatriate land to the Yurok Tribe.

Microsoft has bought over 80,000 metric tons of carbon removals from the Blue Creek Improved Forest Management Project, managed by Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) in Northern California. This purchase aligns with Microsoft’s climate targets and commitment to high-integrity carbon removal projects.

Jennifer Cohn, Associate Director of Business Partnerships at 3Degrees, emphasized the significance of this investment. “Microsoft’s investment in the Blue Creek Improved Forest Management Project highlights its commitment to impactful carbon removals and emphasizes the critical role these projects play in enhancing global climate efforts.“

The Blue Creek project not only boosts forest carbon stocks but also aids the creation of the Blue Creek Forest and Salmon Sanctuary. This initiative aims to conserve 47,000 acres of temperate rainforest by returning the land to the Yurok Tribe. Revenue from carbon credits enabled WRC to purchase the Yurok’s ancestral lands and donate them back to the Tribe.

The conserved land, nearly 15,000 acres, is now a Salmon Sanctuary, protecting the Blue Creek watershed and supporting the Klamath River’s ecosystem. It also provides habitat for rare species like the marbled murrelet, northern spotted owl, California condor, and Humboldt marten.

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Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy and Carbon Removal at Microsoft, noted, “We are pleased that 3Degrees is providing carbon removals that meet our quality criteria. Microsoft’s purchase of carbon removal credits from this project supports our near-term climate goals via a diversified portfolio of carbon removal.“

Microsoft’s proactive approach sets a corporate responsibility benchmark, demonstrating foresight in addressing global environmental challenges.