E-commerce giant Amazon continues its efforts to reduce and eliminate emissions across its global ecosystem, adding carbon credits to the Sustainability Exchange resource hub.
Amazon has launched a reliable, scientifically validated carbon credit service for the users of its Sustainability Exchange platform designed to assist other organisations in their decarbonisation efforts.
The new offering enables suppliers, business customers, and Climate Pledge signatories to access high-quality, science-based carbon credits. Eligible companies must have established net-zero carbon emissions targets encompassing Scope 1 (direct operations), Scope 2 (purchased electricity), and Scope 3 (other indirect emissions). They also have to regularly measure and publicly report their greenhouse gas emissions, commiting to the most relevant and scientifically grounded decarbonisation strategies.
Carbon credits are permits to emit a specific amount, typically one metric ton, of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or other greenhouse gases. Each credit is given to a company for a certain amount of CO₂ removed from or prevented from entering the atmosphere by planting trees, capturing methane, or using renewable energy. These credits can be also sold to businesses looking to offset their own emissions.
Carbon credits have become an integral component of global strategies to combat climate change. The global carbon credit market has experienced significant growth in recent years, reflecting its increasing popularity as a tool for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
While in compliance carbon markets, local regulatory systems command specific industries to cap or reduce their GHG emissions, voluntary carbon credits are purchased by companies or individuals to offset their emissions outside of regulatory requirements. At the same time, voluntary carbon market often faces significant challenges such as lack of transparency and credibility.
Amazon aims to solve these pain points by providing access to verified carbon credits. These credits support projects that avoid or reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote social and economic development in communities, and offer measurable climate benefits.
Through the reliable, scientifically validated carbon credits, Amazon’s value chain partners in the U.S. gain access to seamless investing in nature-based projects and carbon removal technologies. The e-commerce leader provides assurance that the underlying projects will deliver meaningful climate benefits.
Companies currently using the service include Climate Pledge signatory Flickr, real estate advisory firm Seneca Group, commercial real estate developer Ryan Companies, consumer electronics brand Corsair, office furniture manufacturer Steelcase, and business technology consultancy Slalom.
The new carbon credit service is available on Amazon’s Sustainability Exchange – a free, publicly accessible platform designed to share the company’s sustainability tools, guidelines, and resources. For instance, the platform features detailed guides which outline strategies and lessons learned from Amazon’s sustainability initiatives, carbon footprint measurement and reporting tools, collaboration mechanisms that help solve the industry’s most pressing sustainability challenges across sectors, and more.
