Innovation & Inclusive Growth: Mines

May 8, 2023

Mines and carbon credit buying are two distinct topics related to carbon emissions and climate change. Let me explain each of them and also discuss 45Q.

Mines: Mines, especially coal mines, are significant sources of carbon emissions. When coal is burned for energy, it releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. To reduce the emissions from mines, various technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) can be used to capture the carbon dioxide before it is released into the atmosphere. Carbon Credit Buying: Carbon credit buying is a market-based approach to reducing carbon emissions. Companies or organizations that emit carbon dioxide can buy carbon credits from other organizations or projects that reduce carbon emissions. These projects can include renewable energy, reforestation, or energy efficiency initiatives. The idea is that by buying carbon credits, companies can offset their carbon emissions by supporting projects that reduce carbon emissions elsewhere.

45Q: 45Q is a tax credit program in the United States that aims to incentivize the deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. The program provides tax credits to companies that capture carbon dioxide from industrial processes, such as power plants or industrial facilities, and either store it underground or use it for other purposes, such as enhanced oil recovery. The program was expanded in 2018 and provides a higher tax credit for carbon capture projects that store carbon dioxide permanently underground. The goal of the program is to reduce carbon emissions by promoting the deployment of CCS technologies.

Dynamic Carbon Credits is a local carbon sequestering company that sets the benchmark for helping businesses pioneer carbon neutral solutions with plant-based technology. Our solution is unique because we utilize one of the only plants that pulls carbon from the air and returns it back to the soil. Due to this effectiveness, we create a high value solution for companies looking for carbon neutral options. We typically provide resources to Fortune 500, large and medium businesses in the United States and internationally. Dynamic Carbon Credits is a team of industry experts in agriculture, government, science, and business who understand what framework needs to be in place to correctly validate carbon offset projects. We are proud to be a leading benchmark in this industry.

Let’s Work Together!

Dynamic Carbon Credits is ready to show you how to solve your most pressing business challenges. Contact us today and begin seeing the results!

Methods of Capturing Carbon

Attribute
Traditional Offsets (Forestry)
Dynamic Carbon Credits
Permanence
10-50 years (variable)
100-1000 years
Measurement Frequency
Annual, manual
Continuous sensor-driven
Additionality Risk
Moderate
Low (based on waste-to-value)
Double Counting Vulnerability
Medium
Low (blockchain-tracked)
Co-benefits
Biodiversity
Soil productivity water retention

The Forestry Credit Reckoning—and Why It Matters

For years, forestry projects—ranging from tree planting to forest conservation—have dominated the voluntary carbon market. But cracks are forming in the bark.

In 2023 and 2024, high-profile investigations revealed that many forestry-based carbon credits, particularly those certified under certain REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) schemes, failed to deliver on their promises. Credits were issued for forest areas that were never at risk of deforestation, or for carbon that was “saved” but ultimately released due to fire, logging, or policy shifts.

A 2023 Science study found that over 90% of REDD+ credits analyzed didn’t represent real emissions reductions, raising questions about the legitimacy of billions of dollars’ worth of offsets.

This crisis of confidence has made buyers—especially high-profile firms like Microsoft—much more selective. It’s no longer acceptable to count a ton of CO₂ as “offset” if that credit lacks permanence or fails the test of additionality.

🔍 The Microsoft Response: A Deliberate Shift

Microsoft’s pivot toward biochar, BECCS, and other technology-based carbon removals is no coincidence. It’s a response to systemic flaws in forestry credits—flaws that Dynamic Carbon Credits were explicitly designed to solve. By investing in solutions that are verifiable, permanent, and local, Microsoft is helping rebuild trust in the carbon credit system.

In effect, we’re witnessing a transition to a post-forest offset economy, where science-backed carbon sequestration outpaces tree planting in both credibility and climate impact.

Carbon Offset Companies as Market Architects

Behind every corporate carbon strategy is a growing ecosystem of carbon offset companies that bridge the gap between emitters and sequestration technologies. These firms validate project quality, enforce verification standards, and help corporations like Microsoft meet their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions targets.

Microsoft’s partnerships with providers like Chestnut Carbon, Re.green, and innovators aligned with Dynamic Carbon Credits demonstrate how curated, science-based offsets can scale with integrity.

Conclusion: A Future Built on Durable Carbon Removal

Microsoft’s carbon credit strategy is more than a corporate emissions ledger—it’s a blueprint for responsible climate finance. By prioritizing high-quality, durable carbon removals like Dynamic Carbon Credits and biochar, the company is sending a signal: the era of low-integrity offsets is over.

As AI expands and data centers devour electricity, the companies that thrive will be those that match innovation with accountability—and carbon neutrality with climate impact.

Further Reading & High-Authority Resources

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