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Amazon and AWS Sustainability News, Milestones, Partnerships and Net Zero Timeline

December 10, 2024 by Joe Panettieri

Here are additional updates.

January 2024: Sustainability News Developments

IT Services, AI and AWS: Capgemini and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have expanded their partnership to focus on AI. The effort will include steps to help customers address their sustainability goals, the two companies said.
Power Purchase Agreement: Amazon has signed a corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) with ENGIE. The deal will allow Amazon to source power from an offshore wind farm in Scotland.
Solar and Wind Projects: With more than 500 solar and wind projects globally, Amazon's portfolio is now big enough to power 7.2 million U.S. homes each year, the e-commerce and cloud giant said.
Building Energy Management: BrainBox AI has joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN). BrainBox's technology, aligned with HVAC systems allows building owners to reduce energy consumption and associated emissions. Related Podcast: BrainBox AI CEO Sam Ramadori describes building energy management (BEM) trends.
United Kingdom Wind Power: Amazon is reportedly set to announce a "significant investment" in the Moray West offshore wind farm, aiming to power its entire UK operations, Energy Live News reported.

AWS re:Invent Conference: When the AWS re:Invent 2023 conference kicks off, sustainability discussions will emerge in multiple AI (artificial intelligence), cloud services and hardware sessions. Indeed, key partners such as Adobe, Capgemini, Ericsson, HCLTech, Kone and Siemens Energy will discuss various sustainability solutions and strategies during numerous conference sessions.

Multiple updates include...

Europe: Amazon has added 39 new renewable energy projects in Europe so far in 2023. The efforts have added more than one gigawatt of clean energy capacity to grids across Europe, the e-commerce and cloud services giant said.
Grocery Store: A Seattle Amazon Fresh location received a Zero Carbon Certification from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), becoming the world’s first grocery store—and Amazon’s first building—to receive the certification, the e-commerce giant asserted.
Consumer Electronics: The latest Amazon Echo devices and Fire TV Sticks tout enhanced AI (artificial intelligence) capabilities, while also emphasizing progress on sustainability.
Software Partner: AVEVA has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Energy Competency status. The distinction recognizes AVEVA’s expertise in "helping customers leverage AWS’ cloud technology to transform complex industrial systems and accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future," AVEVA asserts.

E-Commerce: Amazon has launched a Sustainability Solutions Hub to help sellers with their own product and packaging goals, Edie reported.
Partnership - AWS Cloud Services and Renewable Energy: Abdul Latif Jameel, an internationally diversified business, has selected Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider to "power its digital transformation and drive innovation across its core sectors—mobility, energy, health, and financial services." On the flip side, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) -- part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy -- will provide clean energy capacity to power Amazon’s operations, the companies said.
Funding: Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund is investing in CarbonCapture, which develops DAC (Direct Air Capture) systems. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Multiple updates...

Lawsuit: Planet Green Cartridges, a U.S. printer cartridge recycler, and remanufacturer, has filed a $500 million lawsuit against Amazon. The lawsuit alleges that Amazon has engaged in false advertising and unfair competition by participating in the sale of newly manufactured, clone printer ink cartridges that are deceptively marketed as "remanufactured" and misrepresented as eco-friendly recycled products. We've reached out to Amazon for comment.

SBTi Drops Amazon: The Science Based Targets initiative, a United Nations-backed entity that validates net-zero plans, has removed Amazon from its list of companies taking action on climate goals after the tech behemoth failed to implement its commitment to set a credible target for reducing carbon emissions, Bloomberg reported. Amazon intends to “continue to work with” SBTi “to establish a path forward for submission.” But “in tandem,” Amazon “will also seek to set science-based targets with other organizations,” the company told Bloomberg.

Sustainability Accelerator: Here's how Amazon selected 16 startups for the Amazon Sustainability Cohort, according to Forbes. Among the key names to know: Isobel Wilson, program lead for the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator.

Multiple updates...

Amazon's 2022 Sustainability Report: The company reduced its carbon emissions for the first time since it began disclosing the figure four years ago, CNBC noted. Despite the 0.4% drop from 2021 to 2022, Amazon's emissions are still up roughly 40% since 2019, CNBC added.

Electric Vehicle Fleet: Amazon will leverage more than 300 Rivian electric delivery vans in Germany within the next few weeks.

AWS - Hardware and Reverse Logistics: To extend the useful life of data center hardware, AWS sends all functional, sanitized, retired server racks and components to its reverse logistics hubs, the company said in a blog. While at the hubs, server racks are securely demanufactured, and components are repaired and tested for reuse in AWS data centers, the company added.

Multiple updates...

Second Headquarters: The company's second headquarters -- located in Arlington, Virginia -- will run with zero operational carbon emissions.
Executive Departure: Chris Vonderhaar, VP of the AWS data center community since December 2018, has left the company, GeekWire reported. Vonderhaar also oversaw business development and procurement of utility connections, the AWS renewable energy portfolio, and AWS sustainability teams and business, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Employee Protests: Some Amazon employees are disappointed with the company's pace on reducing its carbon footprint, Axios noted, as Amazon relies heavily on fossil fuels to power its delivery vehicles, AP reports.
Shipment Zero Setback: Amazon recently backtracked from "Shipment Zero" pledge -- which was seeking to make 50% of shipments net-zero carbon by 2030, Benzaga reported.