Google has entered into its largest rice-methane carbon credit agreement with Indian climate tech startup Mitti Labs, committing to purchase 1 million carbon credits through 2030. This four-year deal targets rice farms in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, covering roughly 100,000 hectares at peak production. The project incentivizes farmers to adopt practices that shorten the flooding period of rice fields, which cuts methane emissions by nearly half and water usage by about 40%, without affecting crop yields.

This collaboration addresses the challenge of Google's increasing greenhouse gas emissions, which rose 18% to around 14.5 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent in 2025. Mitti Labs' use of satellite radar and AI-driven monitoring technology impressed Google during their year-long evaluation process. The startup's innovative GeoAI platform integrates high-resolution satellite imagery with field data to accurately track crop and soil conditions, enabling precise measurement and verification of methane reduction.

The carbon credits Mitti Labs will sell to Google can be certified by standards like Gold Standard or Isometric, ensuring rigorous third-party validation before issuance. Mitti Labs, founded in 2023 and operating from New York and Bengaluru, currently partners with over 100,000 farmers and aims to scale up to millions by 2030. Beyond India, Mitti Labs plans expansion into Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia, to broaden the impact of its methane-reducing agricultural methods.

Google's purchase with Mitti Labs marks a significant step for corporate climate efforts in agriculture, supplementing previous investments such as a 2025 carbon removal deal with Indian startup Varaha. Alongside supporting carbon offset projects, Google is also increasing its clean energy footprint in India, boosting contracted solar capacity through agreements like the 150-megawatt Rajasthan solar project with ReNew Power. This combined approach highlights Google's commitment to balancing emissions while scaling its AI infrastructure.