Key Takeaways
- Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands will deliver 4.8 million carbon removal credits to Microsoft over 10 years
- The credits are generated from Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects across five U.S. states
- Projects will follow ACR’s IFM v2.1 protocol, with enhanced monitoring and quantification standards
- The agreement supports the largest permanent working forest protection effort in the eastern U.S. in 20 years
- Carbon removals will begin delivery in 2025, contributing to Microsoft’s carbon-negative 2030 target
Anew Climate & Aurora Sustainable Lands’ Long-Term Agreement Focuses on Forest-Based Carbon Removals
Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands have announced a 10-year agreement with Microsoft to deliver 4.8 million nature-based carbon removal credits. The project spans forestlands in New York, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida, and is centered on Improved Forest Management (IFM) practices.
The credits are intended to support Microsoft’s goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030, by removing atmospheric carbon through sustainable forest stewardship. The first deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2025.
Forest Management Projects Aligned with IFM v2.1 Protocol
Focus on Monitoring, Transparency, and Durability
The carbon removal credits will be issued under the American Carbon Registry’s (ACR) IFM v2.1 methodology, which includes updated standards for baseline calculations, additionality, and measurement accuracy. The approach aims to improve the credibility and traceability of forest-based removals.
Anew Climate is using its Epoch Evaluation Platform, which combines machine learning, satellite imagery, drone inputs, and field measurements, to support location-specific monitoring and verification. The project design includes perpetual working forest easements and extended monitoring, exceeding basic registry requirements.
Regional and Sectoral Impact
According to the project partners, this initiative represents the largest permanent working forest protection effort in the eastern United States in the last two decades. It is expected to provide long-term investment and employment opportunities within local timberland communities while contributing to climate mitigation.
The project is developed by Anew Climate and owned and managed by Aurora Sustainable Lands, which integrates land ownership, forest operations, and credit generation under a single entity.
Anew & Aurora’s Perspectives on the Agreement
Angela Schwarz, CEO of Anew Climate, described the collaboration as setting “a new standard for nature-based carbon removals,” highlighting the emphasis on technical rigor and scale.
Jamie Houston, CEO of Aurora Sustainable Lands, noted the importance of combining ownership and operational control in delivering “high integrity and quality” carbon credits.
Microsoft, through its Energy & Carbon Removal team, emphasized that this agreement is part of its broader strategy to secure high-integrity, transparent nature-based carbon removals in line with its climate commitments.
