Amazon cut emissions 3% in 2023, enabled by renewable energy purchases

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🗞️ Driving the news: Amazon reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 3% in 2023 due to investments in over 500 renewable energy projects worldwide
• However, the company's overall emissions have increased by 34.5% since its net-zero commitment in 2019

🔭 The context: Amazon's 2023 Sustainability Report revealed a total emission of 68,820,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, a decrease from 70,740,000 metric tons in 2022
• The company has pledged to become net zero by 2040 as part of the Climate Pledge initiative

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Despite the reductions, the overall increase in emissions since 2019 highlights the challenges large corporations face in balancing growth and sustainability
• Amazon's extensive investment in renewable energy projects sets a precedent for corporate responsibility in combating climate change

⏭️ What's next: Amazon aims to continue reducing its carbon footprint with innovative renewable energy deals and increasing its fleet of electric delivery vans, aiming for 100,000 electric vans by 2030

💬 One quote: "Progress toward a net-zero carbon business will not be linear, and each year as our various businesses grow and evolve, we will produce different results," wrote CSO Kara Hurst

📈 One stat: Amazon's Scope 3 emissions, which account for 75% of its footprint, decreased by 5% in 2023, despite an overall rise of 29.6% since 2019

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