Google Signs Largest Biochar Carbon Removal Deals with Varaha and Charm

The agreements aim to remove 200,000 tons of CO2 by 2030 and boost scalable, soil-enhancing carbon solutions.

Google has committed to purchasing 100,000 tons of biochar carbon removal credits each from Varaha and Charm by 2030, marking the largest biochar carbon removal deals to date.
Biochar, a charcoal-like substance made from biomass, sequesters CO2 for hundreds to thousands of years while improving soil health and fertility.
Varaha will produce biochar in India using invasive plant species and agricultural waste, restoring grasslands and supporting smallholder farmers with sustainable practices.
The agreements are part of Google's broader strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, complementing other carbon removal technologies like direct air capture and enhanced rock weathering.
Critics caution that while biochar offers scalable benefits, carbon dioxide removal solutions are not substitutes for reducing emissions at the source.