Google has announced its largest carbon credit purchase to date focused on methane reduction, partnering with the Indian startup Mitti Labs. The project centers on changing agricultural practices in rice cultivation, which is a significant source of methane emissions globally. By implementing specific water management and farming techniques, the startup aims to lower the amount of methane released during the rice-growing process.

The agreement is scheduled to span four years and is expected to reach a scale of 100,000 hectares of farmland at its peak. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the partnership represents a strategic move by Google to meet its corporate sustainability goals through the voluntary carbon market. The project will operate across three Indian states, though the specific locations and the exact methodology for measuring the methane reduction have not been detailed in initial reports. This deal highlights a growing trend among major technology companies to invest in nature-based and agricultural carbon removal or reduction projects as part of their broader climate strategies.