Tech Titans Form Symbiosis Coalition for 20 Million Ton Nature-Based Carbon Removal

Tech giants Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce have announced the launch of the Symbiosis Coalition, a new advance market commitment (AMC) collaboration aimed at supporting the development and growth of the nature-based carbon removal market. The coalition commits to contracting up to 20 million tons of nature-based carbon removal credits.

The coalition aims to drive demand for high-impact, science-based restoration projects that will advance global climate goals. Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “Google is thrilled to join other Symbiosis founders and members to help grow the nature-based carbon removal market in a way that is firmly guided by science and has a measurable impact on the atmosphere.”

The 2022 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report emphasized the necessity of scaling carbon dioxide removal methods to billions of tons annually to limit warming to 1.5°C. Despite existing solutions, many are still in early stages and limited in scale. The latest IPCC report estimates that ecosystem restoration projects could remove at least 3 gigatons of CO2 annually by 2030.

The coalition acknowledges the challenges of scaling nature-based carbon removal, such as engaging Indigenous Peoples and local communities and balancing carbon sequestration with other environmental benefits. The initiative addresses these challenges with an advance market commitment to signal aggregate demand to suppliers. The coalition will be guided by quality pillars, including conservative accounting, durability, social benefits, ecological integrity, and transparency.

Melanie Nakagawa, Chief Sustainability Officer at Microsoft, emphasized the importance of high-quality, nature-based solutions for addressing climate change, stating, “This collaboration will help build the overall market for these solutions, leading to more restoration purchases that benefit all of us.”

The coalition will enable members to purchase nature-based carbon removal credits through a joint request for proposal (RFP). The initial RFP focuses on afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation projects (ARR), including agroforestry, with criteria emphasizing additionality, leakage, and durability. Future plans include aligning criteria for mangrove restoration projects.

Blair Swedeen, Global Head of Net Zero and Sustainability at Meta, expressed excitement about the coalition’s potential, stating, “Reducing our emissions and helping to scale a robust carbon market that includes nature-based and technological carbon removal solutions are essential parts of achieving our sustainability goals.”

The coalition hopes to expand its membership and share lessons learned to advance confidence in nature-based solutions for climate change. Suzanne DiBianca, EVP and Chief Impact Officer at Salesforce, added, “Through effective collaboration, we can rapidly scale high quality nature-based credits and improve market integrity, driving significant benefits for both people and the planet.”