Pantheon Regeneration has received an investment from Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund to expand the development of its ecological restoration projects, including one of the first commercial peatland restoration initiatives in the United States, the Pocosin Ecological Reserve I project.
Peatlands are among the world’s most carbon-dense ecosystems, and their restoration is considered a significant nature-based climate solution. Pantheon, which develops and operates peatland projects and works with Duke University, aims to generate carbon credits with additional biodiversity and water-related benefits.
Microsoft said the investment is intended to support the scaling of science-based climate solutions. Erika Basham, director at the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, will join Pantheon’s board as an observer.
“We’re thrilled to support Pantheon Regeneration’s mission to restore ecosystems and remove carbon from the atmosphere,” Basham said. “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.”
Pantheon CEO Tripp Wall said the backing marks an important milestone for the company. “Support from the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund is a profound game-changer,” he said. “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.”
Microsoft’s investment forms part of its wider carbon removal strategy, which includes both nature-based and engineered approaches.
