Google-Backed Coalition Scales Ocean & Rock Carbon Removals

A powerful coalition of major tech companies, including Google, Stripe, and Shopify, has pledged $1.7 million to purchase carbon removal credits from three pioneering startups. This move is designed to support and accelerate the development of innovative technologies aimed at extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a critical component in addressing the global climate crisis.

Meeting the Mid-Century Climate Challenge

To meet international climate targets, experts estimate that the world will need to remove between five and ten billion tons of carbon dioxide annually by 2050. Despite this pressing need, current carbon removal technologies remain limited in scale and commercial viability. Most solutions are still in the early stages of development and require significant support to grow into effective tools for climate mitigation.

The Role and Reach of Frontier

The initiative is being coordinated by Frontier, a coalition launched in 2022 and backed by a broad range of corporate heavyweights, including Meta, H&M Group, JPMorgan Chase, and Salesforce. Frontier operates as an advanced market commitment platform, pooling resources and demand from member companies to create a guaranteed market for carbon removal solutions.

Funding Early-Stage Innovators

This latest investment will go toward purchasing credits from three emerging firms: Karbonetiq in the United States, Limenet in Italy, and pHathom in Canada. These startups are developing cutting-edge methods to lock away carbon either in the ocean or through geological and industrial processes. By agreeing to buy credits in advance, the coalition provides these young companies with critical financial support and market validation, which in turn helps them secure additional funding and scale operations.

Accelerating Innovation Through Early Commitment

According to Hannah Bebbington, head of deployment at Frontier, early-stage commitments play a vital role in enabling carbon removal startups to grow. These pre-purchase agreements not only provide working capital but also serve as a signal of commercial interest that can attract investors and talent. This round marks the fifth set of commitments by Frontier as it continues to identify and nurture breakthrough technologies in carbon capture.

Long-Term Investment Goals

Frontier has committed to spending at least $1 billion on carbon removal credits by the end of this decade. Of that, $600 million has already been allocated, with funds going toward both early pre-purchases and larger off-take agreements. Just last week, the coalition signed a $41 million deal to buy 116,000 tons of carbon removal from Arbor, a company that converts waste biomass into long-term carbon storage.

Harnessing the Power of the Ocean

Among the technologies receiving support are ocean-based carbon capture solutions. These aim to increase the alkalinity of seawater, thereby enhancing its ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide. One method involves adding quicklime, a substance derived from limestone, to the ocean. This process helps the water hold more carbon in a stable form.

Turning Rocks and Waste into Climate Solutions

Other supported projects focus on mineralisation, accelerating the natural process by which rocks and industrial byproducts absorb carbon dioxide. These techniques typically involve crushing materials to increase surface area, which boosts their capacity to chemically bind with CO₂. By speeding up these geological processes, companies hope to offer scalable, permanent carbon removal methods.