Google has signed a long-term agreement with Thryve.Earth to remove 260,000 tons of carbon through an agroforestry project in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Facilitated by the Symbiosis Coalition, this initiative marks the first agroforestry project included within Google’s carbon removal program.
Google’s Expansion into Agroforestry Carbon Removal
Through the Symbiosis Coalition, the company is funding a project in Sulawesi, Indonesia, designed to sequester 260,000 tons of carbon. This specific approach, known as agroforestry, combines agriculture and forestry.
According to Google, the project replaces fire-prone, invasive grasses on heavily degraded land with a multi-layered farming system. This system consists of three distinct tiers: an upper canopy of timber trees and sugar palms, a middle layer of fruit crops including coffee and avocado, and a ground layer of annuals like corn and chili. This structure helps replenish the soil and increase local biodiversity while actively removing carbon from the atmosphere.
The Role of Thryve.Earth and the Symbiosis Coalition
Thryve.Earth manages the implementation in Indonesia. Their model focuses on land use that improves the land’s overall health. By integrating food crops with timber, the project provides a sustainable income stream for local farmers.
Together with Symbiosis, Google is continuing to catalyze high-scale opportunities to restore natural ecosystems. This agreement is part of a broader strategy that includes other breakthrough carbon removal projects and efforts to eliminate superpollutants.
Comparing Agroforestry to Standard Reforestation
| Feature | Standard Reforestation | Thryve.Earth Agroforestry |
|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity | Often low (monoculture) | High (multi-layered canopy) |
| Local Economic Impact | Indirect/Long-term | Direct (coffee, avocado, corn) |
| Land Use | Conservation only | Integrated food and timber production |
| Soil Health | Variable | Active replenishment via diverse root systems |
Why Sulawesi’s Ecosystem Matters
Much of the land in Sulawesi has been degraded by fires. By replacing invasive grasses with a resilient canopy, the Thryve.Earth project replenishes the soil and increases local biodiversity.
The use of sugar palms and timber trees provides the structural anchor for the ecosystem, while the mid-layer crops like coffee provide the financial incentive for farmers to maintain the land.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much carbon will this project remove?
The agreement between Google and Thryve.Earth targets the removal of 260,000 tons of carbon.
What is the Symbiosis Coalition?
The Symbiosis Coalition is a partner through which Google is continuing to catalyze high-scale opportunities to restore natural ecosystems.
Where is the project located?
The project is situated in Sulawesi, Indonesia, specifically targeting heavily degraded lands to restore biodiversity and replenish the soil.