Microsoft Signs Massive 500,000 Metric Ton Carbon Removal Deal With 1PointFive

Tech giant Microsoft has entered into an agreement with 1PointFive, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum, to acquire 500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits over six years.

Microsoft Turns to Direct Air Capture Technology

According to the companies, this transaction is heralded as the largest single purchase of CDR credits facilitated by direct air capture (DAC) technology to date. DAC is a technology designed to extract carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere using chemical processes or other advanced technologies.

Once captured, the CO2 can be stored underground through carbon sequestration or utilized in diverse industrial applications. DAC is considered a promising method for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change by removing CO2 already present in the atmosphere.

The agreement highlights the increasing adoption of DAC as a climate solution, which is crucial for organizations striving towards net-zero emissions. Microsoft's CDR credits will be sourced from STRATOS, 1PointFive's upcoming industrial-scale DAC facility in Texas.

This facility aims to securely store captured carbon dioxide through subsurface saline sequestration, emphasizing transparency and durability in emission reduction efforts, particularly in challenging-to-decarbonize sectors.

Michael Avery, President and General Manager of 1PointFive, expressed enthusiasm about this milestone agreement, emphasizing Microsoft's leadership in carbon removal and its strategic integration of scalable DAC technologies.

Avery noted that DAC is well-suited to help achieve climate goals by effectively removing residual emissions and aligning with global sustainability efforts amid increasing energy demands in the technology sector.

Brian Marrs, Senior Director for Carbon Removal and Energy at Microsoft, highlighted the significance of partnering with 1PointFive. Marrs underscored the importance of scaling DAC projects like STRATOS to meet ambitious carbon removal targets essential for Microsoft's broader objective of achieving carbon negativity by 2030.

Microsoft Adds AI Writing Assistant for 'Personalization'

In related news, Microsoft is enhancing its widely used word processing software by introducing a new AI capability known as "Personalization" profiles within Microsoft Copilot. This capability is designed to adapt the AI writing assistant's responses based on each user's unique preferences.

The "Personalization" profiles enable users to customize how Copilot interacts with their queries, offering a more personalized user experience. As Microsoft's roadmap outlines, this feature is scheduled for general release this month.

The personalized Copilot feature will be accessible to subscribers of either the Copilot Pro or Copilot for Microsoft 365 plans. The Copilot Pro plan, priced at $20 per month, is designed primarily for individual users, while the Copilot for Microsoft 365 plan is designed for businesses and organizations.