Amazon's efforts in electric vehicles are lowering emissions per sale.
Amazon, a global leader in e-commerce, is taking significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. The tech giant is making strides in various areas, including transportation, renewable energy, and waste reduction, as part of its Climate Pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Electrifying Transportation
To reduce transportation emissions, Amazon is investing in electric vehicles (EVs). The company has partnered with Rivian to electrify its last-mile delivery fleet with electric delivery vans [1]. Additionally, Amazon Freight is expanding zero-exhaust emission deliveries by deploying electric vehicles for its middle-mile transport, with increased EV placement starting in early 2025 [4].
Renewable Energy Initiatives
Amazon is making substantial investments in renewable energy to power its high-energy-demand AI data centers and operations. By the end of 2024, the company had reduced carbon emissions per shipped unit by roughly one-third since 2019, in part through transitioning to carbon-free energy sources [2]. Amazon collaborates with partners and the 549 other signatories of the Climate Pledge to scale climate solutions that include expanding renewable energy use and investing in carbon capture technologies [1][2][5].
Additional Measures Related to Sustainability
Amazon has also taken steps to reduce plastic waste. In 2024, the company removed plastic air pillows from global fulfillment packaging, reducing plastic waste by 16.4% [2][3]. The company is also pursuing joint action projects with other Climate Pledge signatories, focusing on decarbonization solutions across freight, supply chain, and product sourcing [1][5].
Water Conservation and Other Goals
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has set a 2027 target to return more water to Indian villages than it uses in its operations [6]. Amazon aims to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030 [7]. The company also aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and has a target of 100,000 electric delivery vehicles on the road by 2030 [8].
Despite a slight increase in emissions from 64.38 million MTCO2e in 2023 to 68.25 million MTCO2e in 2024, potentially due to company expansion and AI-driven data center growth, Amazon continues to make strides in reducing its carbon footprint [9]. The carbon dioxide equivalent per dollar of gross merchandise sales decreased from 75.6g CO2e/$GMS to 72.6g CO2e/$GMS due to Amazon's EV project [10].
The Climate Pledge, co-founded by Amazon in 2019, currently has 549 signatories, encouraging group efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 [11]. Together, these initiatives reflect Amazon’s comprehensive approach: electrifying transportation (both last mile and middle mile), increasing clean energy adoption across its operations, and collaborating broadly to accelerate climate innovations in pursuit of its 2040 net-zero goal [1][2][4][5].
- Amazon's green initiatives extend beyond e-commerce, reaching into education and self-development, as the company offers courses on sustainable living through its platform.
- The NGO community has commended Amazon's commitment to environmental science, citing its renewable energy investments as a significant step towards mitigating climate-change.
- In the realm of lifestyle, Amazon has introduced products related to home and garden that promote the use of renewable energy, supporting sustainable living.
- With data and cloud computing, Amazon is not only powering its operations with renewable energy, but it is also encouraging other organizations to do the same through its technology.
- The tech giant is also investing in the field of personal growth and learning, providing resources on the science of sustainability to foster awareness and understanding of environmental issues.
- While Amazon continues to grow, it is mindful of its environmental impact, reporting regularly on its efforts towards carbon neutrality and renewable energy use.
- Beyond transportation and renewable energy, Amazon is making strides in various sectors impacted by ESG factors, such as waste reduction and water conservation.
- The finance industry is taking notice of Amazon's dedication to the environment, with investors increasingly looking to support companies aligning with sustainable business practices.
- Through its Climate Pledge and various initiatives, Amazon is setting an example for the industry, demonstrating that profitability and environmental responsibility can coexist.
- Events related to climate-change and sustainability are increasingly being held in partnership with Amazon, as the company leverages its resources to raise awareness and foster actionable solutions.
- From the delivery of goods to the education of individuals, Amazon's influence reaches many aspects of life, with an emphasis on promoting a greener, more sustainable lifestyle for all.
