Microsoft Partners with UNDO for Large-Scale Carbon Removal

Microsoft has signed a new agreement with UNDO, a company specializing in enhanced rock weathering (ERW), to permanently remove 28,900 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2036. The project uses crushed silicate rock spread across agricultural land, where plants and microbes accelerate the natural weathering process to capture carbon while enriching the soil. This marks the third agreement between the two companies, which now total nearly 49,000 tonnes of ERW-based carbon removal. As one of the largest corporate buyers of carbon removal credits, Microsoft is committed to achieving carbon negativity by 2030. The project is supported by Inlandsis, a Canadian climate fund, which is helping to scale ERW solutions globally, driving the transition to gigatonne-scale carbon removal.

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Further reading: Microsoft Signs New Deal to Capture Carbon in Rocks and Soil

Glass Lewis Ends Uniform Proxy Voting

Glass Lewis is moving away from its one-size-fits-all proxy voting recommendations. The firm says that U.S. and EU investors have different priorities, especially on sustainability and corporate responsibility. This change follows growing pressure from U.S. politicians and an investigation into whether the firm misled investors with recommendations supporting DEI and sustainability policies. Starting in 2027, Glass Lewis will offer customized voting frameworks that better match each client’s investment approach and values. The new system will allow clients to consider different perspectives and make voting decisions that align with their unique goals.

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Further reading: Glass Lewis to End Uniform Proxy Voting Recommendations as Investors in U.S., EU Diverge on ESG

US-China Tensions Disrupt EU Climate Goals

The EU’s climate goals are being undermined by trade tensions between the U.S. and China, with rare earth export restrictions threatening vital supply chains. As China restricts exports of key materials needed for clean technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicle motors, the EU faces delays in production and rising costs. These disruptions could hamper Europe’s ability to meet its 2050 net-zero goals. Simultaneously, the U.S. has pressured the EU to ease environmental laws while pushing for energy independence. As the EU navigates these geopolitical challenges, the pressure is mounting to balance climate action with supply chain resilience, especially as the U.S. forces the EU into costly trade deals and tariffs. With COP30 approaching, the EU’s vulnerability is on full display.

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Further reading: Will the EU’s climate goals be affected by Washington’s trade war?

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New Delhi Faces Hazardous Air Pollution After Diwali Fireworks

New Delhi was engulfed in thick smog the day after Diwali celebrations, with fireworks adding to already poor air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) surged above 350, entering the “severe” zone, according to the World Health Organization‘s guidelines. This, combined with seasonal pollution and stagnant weather, made breathing hazardous. The court’s partial firecracker ban, which allowed green firecrackers emitting 30% less pollutants, was largely ignored. New Delhi, home to over 30 million people, regularly faces severe pollution, worsened by crop-burning in surrounding areas during winter. Authorities are enforcing restrictions, but environmentalists argue that long-term solutions, like cleaner energy and stricter emissions controls, are needed. Rising pollution is also diminishing sunshine hours, affecting solar energy generation and agriculture.

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Further reading: New Delhi blanketed by thick smoke after Diwali fireworks causing hazardous levels of air pollution

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the photo: Microsoft Store  Cover Photo Credit: Valent Lau