3 6 Ke·2025-08-12 02:55Core Viewpoint - Microsoft has signed a $1.7 billion contract with Vaulted Deep, a low-carbon company, to implement a unique carbon removal strategy involving the burial of waste materials, aiming to address its carbon emissions and enhance its environmental responsibility [3][22]. Group 1: Contract Details - The contract with Vaulted Deep is valued at $1.7 billion, which is approximately 100 billion RMB [3]. - The project involves burying 490 million tons of waste materials over a period of 12 years, which is a significant undertaking [5][20]. - This method is designed to sequester carbon for over 10,000 years, utilizing established industrial waste management techniques [18]. Group 2: Environmental Context - Microsoft’s decision reflects a broader trend among large corporations to improve their carbon credit scores and ESG ratings, as these factors influence investment decisions [8][10]. - Traditional carbon offset projects, such as forest conservation, have been criticized for their effectiveness, with many being deemed worthless [11][27]. - The shift towards carbon removal strategies indicates a response to the inadequacies of previous carbon offset methods [14][29]. Group 3: Financial Implications - The contract may lead to significant tax deductions for Microsoft, potentially saving over $300 million due to environmental subsidies [25]. - Vaulted Deep's CEO indicated that the actual costs for Microsoft could decrease as technology improves, making the investment more favorable [25]. Group 4: Broader Industry Trends - The project aligns with Microsoft's goal of achieving carbon negativity by 2030, despite a reported 23.4% increase in emissions in the 2023 fiscal year compared to 2020 [22][23]. - The initiative is part of a larger trend where companies are exploring innovative solutions to manage carbon emissions while addressing the growing demand for cloud computing and AI technologies [22][29].