Amazon has introduced a new carbon credit service to help businesses achieve their net-zero emissions goals. The initiative, accessible through Amazon’s Sustainability Exchange, aims to provide suppliers, business customers, and The Climate Pledge signatories with access to high-integrity, science-based carbon credits.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the credibility and transparency of the voluntary carbon market, where businesses often struggle to find reliable carbon credits to offset their emissions. By curating a selection of trusted credits, Amazon seeks to enhance climate action beyond its own operations.
Ensuring high-quality carbon credits
Amazon’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Kara Hurst, highlighted the importance of ensuring credibility in carbon markets: “Companies need access to high-quality, science-backed carbon credits that can drive real climate impact. The voluntary carbon market has faced challenges with transparency and credibility, which is why we are committed to providing a solution that helps businesses invest in meaningful decarbonisation efforts.”
To qualify for the programme, companies must have established net-zero carbon targets, commit to reducing their direct and indirect emissions, and regularly report their greenhouse gas outputs. These requirements align with Amazon’s broader sustainability strategy.
Addressing climate challenges
Amazon has positioned itself as a leader in corporate climate action, having co-founded The Climate Pledge in 2019, which commits signatories to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s target. The company has also made significant investments in renewable energy and electric delivery fleets.
Hurst further explained Amazon’s motivation behind the new service: “Tackling climate change requires a multifaceted approach. While reducing emissions should always come first, high-quality carbon credits play a critical role in addressing residual emissions. Our goal is to make it easier for businesses to take credible climate action.”
A step towards greater market transparency
Industry experts have long called for greater scrutiny in carbon credit trading, citing instances where offset projects failed to deliver promised emissions reductions. Amazon’s initiative is expected to improve transparency by vetting carbon credit providers and ensuring adherence to rigorous standards.
The launch of this service is part of Amazon’s broader strategy to foster collaboration and accelerate decarbonisation across industries. With the voluntary carbon market under increasing regulatory and public scrutiny, initiatives like this could help set a benchmark for how corporations integrate carbon offsets into their sustainability strategies.
