Did you know that Amazon aims to use 100% renewable energy by 2023? An ambitious initiative that has a significant impact on the future of our planet. Let’s explore together what this means for the environment and for future generations.
Amazon claims a major environmental victory
Amazon announced on Wednesday that it has reached a crucial environmental milestone: in 2023, all the electricity consumed by its operations was “offset” by 100% renewable energy. This proclamation, while praised, raises questions among some experts who call for more transparency in the multinational’s annual sustainability report.
A goal achieved seven years early
In a blog post, Amazon specified that it has met the goal set in 2019: to offset its entire electricity consumption across its global operations – including data centers, corporate buildings, grocery stores, and distribution centers – with renewable energy. This achievement was made seven years ahead of the scheduled deadline.
The largest corporate buyer of renewable energy
Amazon claims it achieved this by becoming the world’s largest buyer of renewable energy for the fourth consecutive year. The company has invested billions of dollars to build over 500 solar and wind projects around the globe.
An important nuance: bought energy vs. used energy
However, reaching this goal does not mean that Amazon exclusively uses renewable energy for its operations. In reality, it purchases an equivalent amount of energy from solar and wind power plants, which is then transferred to the public electricity grid.
Carbon footprint rises despite efforts
Despite these offset purchases, Amazon’s sustainability report reveals that emissions from its direct operations increased by 7% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Since launching its climate commitment in 2019, the company’s carbon emissions have risen by 34%, although they fell by 3% in 2023 compared to 2022.
Carbon intensity reductions
A notable figure is the 13% reduction in “carbon intensity” in 2023 compared to the previous year. This intensity is defined by Amazon as the grams of carbon dioxide emitted per dollar of goods sold. Since 2019, this intensity has decreased by over 34%.
Criticism over transparency
Some experts criticize Amazon’s climate claims for their lack of clarity and transparency. The NGO Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which specializes in disseminating climate information, awarded Amazon a “B” rating for its climate report, lower than the “A-” for Apple and “A” for Google and Microsoft.
- Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, a group of workers, also organized a march to criticize the company’s leadership.
- They accuse Amazon of “worsening rather than improving” its climate efforts.
Future challenges to address
Kara Hurst, Amazon’s global vice president of sustainability, addressed concerns regarding the increasing energy demand from artificial intelligence. She stated: “Our progress toward becoming a carbon-neutral company will not be linear, and each year, as our various sectors grow and evolve, we will produce different results.”
Amazon still faces many challenges in continuing its ecological transition while meeting the demands of rapid innovation. However, the company’s commitment to investing in large-scale renewable energy projects is undoubtedly a significant step toward a more sustainable future.
