Amazon has launched the Sustainability Exchange, a free, publicly available website offering previously proprietary information that guided the company in decarbonising its operations. The platform aims to democratise Amazon’s guidelines, playbooks, scientific models, and other resources to help companies make significant strides toward net-zero.
The Sustainability Exchange is designed to empower businesses of all sizes and across all industries to take meaningful steps towards sustainable operations, regardless of their current stage in the sustainability journey. Amazon plans to continually update the platform with new content and resources to address the evolving needs of suppliers, hoping it will become a widely adopted tool among industry peers.
At its inception, the Amazon Sustainability Exchange will concentrate on seven key areas: Buildings, Carbon Neutralisation, Carbon-Free Energy, Human Rights, Transportation, Waste and Circularity, and Water Stewardship. The Sustainability Exchange has a vast bank of resources.
The Carbon Measurement and Reporting Playbook provides detailed guidance on developing carbon goals, identifying abatement opportunities, and learning from Amazon’s extensive experience in measuring and reporting data across its global operations. The Renewable Energy Playbook shares insights from Amazon’s position as the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy for the past four years. The Building Guide leverages the company’s knowledge from developing HQ2 and ILFI-certified buildings and applies to various structures including grocery stores, warehouses, and corporate offices. The Water Stewardship Starter Guide provides essential steps for establishing a water stewardship programme.
Beyond providing these invaluable tools and resources, Amazon is committed to working with suppliers dedicated to decarbonisation and achieving net-zero emissions. The company has identified its highest-emitting suppliers, who collectively contribute over 50% of emissions to Amazon’s Scope 3 footprint, and expects them to provide comprehensive plans for decarbonising their operations and demonstrating tangible progress.
Amazon will prioritise business with suppliers who present clear plans and results towards net-zero goals, continuing to engage with many of them and sharing learnings through the Amazon Sustainability Exchange.