Amazon has committed to be net zero carbon by 2040 and 100% powered by renewable energy by 2030 as part of its founding of The Climate Pledge initiative.
The company is the first signatory to the pledge to meet the goals of the Paris Climate accord 10 years early.
Companies that sign The Climate Pledge agree to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis and implement decarbonisation strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies.
They must also neutralise any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent and socially-beneficial offsets to achieve net zero annual carbon emissions by 2040.
Amazon aims to reach 80% renewable energy by 2024 and 100% renewable energy by 2030 on its path to net zero carbon by 2040.
The company has so far launched 15 utility-scale wind and solar renewable energy projects that will generate over 1.3GW.
Amazon has also installed more than 50 solar rooftops on fulfilment and sort centres around the globe that generate 98MW.
Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos (pictured) said: “We’re done being in the middle of the herd on this issue – we’ve decided to use our size and scale to make a difference.
“If a company with as much physical infrastructure as Amazon – which delivers more than 10 billion items a year – can meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early, then any company can. I’ve been talking with other CEOs of global companies, and I’m finding a lot of interest in joining the pledge.
“Large companies signing The Climate Pledge will send an important signal to the market that it’s time to invest in the products and services the signatories will need to meet their commitments.”