Image Source: Unsplash
 

Nature-based solutions startup Pantheon Regeneration announced a new investment from Microsoft’s (MSFT) Climate Innovation Fund, with proceeds from the investment supporting the scaling of the development of Pantheon’s ecological restoration projects, aimed at reviving biodiversity and removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Founded in 2023, Pantheon develops, finances, and manages projects that remove and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere while restoring ecosystems. The company’s first project, Pocosin Ecological Reserve I PER I), is one of the first commercial peatland restoration projects in the U.S.

According to the company, peatland restoration is one of the highest-impact nature-based climate solutions, due to peatlands’ extremely high carbon density. When drained, peatlands change from long-term carbon sinks to major carbon sources, releasing vast amounts of CO2 as soils dry and oxidize, while restoring wet conditions that halt organic matter decomposition, allowing peatlands to once again function as a carbon sink, drawing down atmospheric carbon, in addition to preventing CO2 from being released.

In addition to quickly removing CO2 from the atmosphere and delivering significant credit volumes, Pantheon said that its projects regenerate vital wetlands and achieve meaningful biodiversity and water co-benefits.

Pantheon CEO Tripp Wall said:

“Support from the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund is a profound game-changer. The Pantheon team has been driven from day one by the enormous potential of our ecosystem restoration work to deliver the type of landscape scale climate solutions the planet needs and the carbon credit quality and volumes the market craves.”

According to Microsoft, the new investment builds on its broader carbon removal strategy, which includes nature-based and engineered solutions capable of scaling to meet global climate commitments. Microsoft is by far the largest corporate buyer of carbon removal credits globally, with purchases approaching 31 million tonnes. The company launched its Climate Innovation Fund in 2020, committing $1 billion to invest in the development of new climate technologies.

The companies said that the new investment will accelerate Pantheon’s project pipeline and delivery capacity.

Erika Basham, Director of Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, said:

“We’re thrilled to support Pantheon Regeneration’s mission to restore ecosystems and remove carbon from the atmosphere,” said Basham. “Their innovative approach aligns with our goal to invest in scalable, science-based solutions that not only remove emissions but also deliver co-benefits such as biodiversity and water impacts. This investment underscores our focus on supporting scalable, high-integrity climate solutions and the innovative teams that deliver them.”

More By This Author: