Key headlines from April - Public leans towards trees for CDR, Microsoft expands removals, Mombak raises $30M
Monthly newsletter on news from the New Forest Economy
Welcome to Arbonics’ monthly roundup of news relevant to forests, the voluntary carbon markets, and climate solutions more broadly. Bringing you the latest that catches our eye - as well as our own take on the news.
Before we dive into April’s headlines, a quick question: did you miss our recent webinar with the American Forest Foundation? Developing high-integrity forest carbon projects US vs EU is now available to watch.
Brazil’s Mombak raises $30M to expand Amazon restoration
Brazilian startup Mombak has raised $30 million to accelerate its efforts in the Amazon, where it restores degraded pasture land with native species. With $150 million signed in offtake agreements, the company is now entering a scale-up phase backed by investors including Union Square Ventures and Lowercarbon Capital.
💡 Arbonics’ take:
Mombak’s raise reflects growing investor confidence in high-integrity, nature-based carbon removal. For developers, the message is clear: there is demand for scale, but quality is non-negotiable. It’s also increasingly about execution — investors are looking for partners who can deliver at scale, across landscapes, and with verifiable outcomes.
Microsoft backs 1.4M tonne carbon removal from reforesting former mine lands
In yet another purchase, Microsoft has announced it will buy 1.4 million tonnes of carbon removal credits from Living Carbon, generated through the reforestation of 25,000 acres of degraded mine land in Appalachia. The project focuses on restoring ecologically-damaged areas at risk from erosion, toxic metals, and invasive species.
💡 Arbonics’ take:
This is the same Living Carbon that began by developing genetically-modified tree species designed to grow faster and store more carbon. We highlighted them as an example of innovation in our piece on nature tech. It's great to see them also putting their trees into good use by turning to restoration.
This deal shows a more strategic approach to nature-based removal, focusing on where restoration can deliver the greatest impact. Former mine lands are often overlooked in reforestation efforts, but investment here signals a shift toward more integrated climate solutions, where carbon removal is aligned with returning degraded land to productive, long-term use.
Microsoft adds biochar to its CDR portfolio with 44,000-credit deal from Carba
Microsoft has also signed a five-year deal to purchase 44,000 carbon removal credits from biochar company Carba. The credits are based on a patented pyrolysis and burial process that converts biogenic waste into stable biochar, with storage designed to last over 1,000 years. Credits will begin retiring as early as this year.
💡 Arbonics’ take:
This deal highlights something more companies should be doing: diversifying their carbon removal portfolios. Biochar locks carbon away for the long haul; forests bring near-term impact and biodiversity. No single solution can do it all. Companies aiming for net-zero need to think in portfolios — investing across methods that work on different timescales, for different benefits.
Tree planting dominates public view of carbon removal
A new global study published in Nature shows that the public overwhelmingly associates carbon removal with tree planting — so much so that it can crowd out support for other methods. In surveys and focus groups across 30 countries, afforestation was seen as the most familiar, natural, and beneficial method, regardless of region. Researchers warn this bias could limit the development of a more diverse carbon removal portfolio.
💡 Arbonics’ take:
🌳 Tree planting is a cornerstone of climate action, and rightly so. But as this study makes clear, it risks becoming the only story people hear. We emit around 50 gigatonnes of carbon each year, and current carbon removal accounts for only about 2 gigatonnes. To close that gap, we’ll need a full range of approaches that includes both nature-based and technological solutions, each playing a specific role in the broader system.
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