In a significant move to counteract their carbon footprint, tech giants Google, H&M Group, and Salesforce have collectively invested $27 million in a startup called Terradot, which utilizes a novel "rock-based" carbon capture technology. This innovative approach, known as enhanced rock weathering (ERW), aims to remove 90,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, marking a crucial step in the fight against climate change.

Terradot, backed by Sheryl Sandberg, co-founder and former COO of Facebook, has developed a process that accelerates the natural weathering of rocks to trap CO2. The startup's pilot program in Brazil involves spreading crushed basalt over farmland, where it reacts with CO2 to form bicarbonate, which is then stored in the ocean. This low-tech tactic has garnered significant attention, with experts hailing it as a promising solution to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Google has also announced a separate deal with Terradot, purchasing an additional 200,000 tons of carbon removal, expected to be completed by the early 2030s. While the exact cost of this deal remains undisclosed, it's estimated to be around $60 million, based on the $300-per-ton price tag of the Frontier agreement. This significant investment underscores the tech industry's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to clean energy sources.

Oliver Jagoutz, a professor of geology at MIT, praised the initiative, stating, "I think it should go a little out of the academic world into the industrial world. And I wish these guys all the best." Jagoutz acknowledges that measuring the effectiveness of ERW is a challenge, but emphasizes the importance of real-world trials to develop rigorous measurement tools.

Terradot's founders, James Kanoff and Sasankh Munukutla, met Sandberg through their nonprofit initiative, Farmlink Project, which connects food banks to farms with excess produce. Sandberg has expressed confidence in the startup's leadership, citing their drive, technology, and focus on execution as key factors in their potential success.

Carbon dioxide removal is a critical component in the fight against climate change, as it can help slow the rate of global warming. However, experts stress that it is not a substitute for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the first place. Terradot's approach is seen as a complementary solution to support companies' transition to clean energy sources.

Google's carbon footprint has grown significantly as it expands its AI data centers. In response, the company has announced plans to develop advanced nuclear reactors and new solar and wind farms to power its data centers with carbon pollution-free electricity. While the 200,000 tons of carbon removal secured through the Terradot deal is a step in the right direction, it only accounts for a small fraction of Google's 14.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution last year.

James Kanoff, CEO of Terradot, emphasized that carbon removal is not a substitute for emissions reductions, stating, "We need both of these tools... Any of the partners we're even thinking about working with, they have some of the most aggressive emission reduction strategies of any of the companies really in the world." This partnership highlights the tech industry's growing commitment to addressing climate change and its willingness to invest in innovative solutions to mitigate its impact.