Jeff Bezos unveiled a fund to help climate scientists and activists, an escalation of his philanthropic efforts.
Just about month after hundreds of Amazon employees criticized what they saw as the company’s weak commitment to tackling the climate issue, the world´s richest man unveiled his philanthropic initiative. On his Instagram account he accompanied the launch of Bezos Earth Fund by saying:
” Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet. I want to work alongside others both to amplify known ways and to explore new ways of fighting the devastating impact of climate change on this planet we all share. This global initiative will fund scientists, activists, NGs – any effort that offers a real possibility to help preserve and protect the natural world. We can save Earth. It´s going to take collective action from big companies, small companies, nation states, global organizations, and individuals.
Earth is the one thing we all have in common – let´s protect it, together. “
He said the first grants to scientists, activists and non-governmental organizations would be issued this summer.
Amazon has been also upgrading its sustainability strategy and its commitment to a sustainable on multiple levels. For example on September 19, 2019, Amazon and Global Optimism announced The Climate Pledge, a commitment to meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early. Amazon was the first signatory of this pledge. The Climate Pledge calls on signatories to be net zero carbon across their businesses by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050.
Among the commitments you can also find
100% Net zero carbon by 2040
Deploying our technology and people to reach net zero carbon across Amazon by 2040, one decade ahead of the Paris Agreement.80% Renewable energy by 2024
Investing in wind and solar to reach 80% renewable energy across all business operations by 2024. We expect to reach ~40% renewable energy by the end of 2019.100% Renewable energy by 2030
Investing in wind and solar to reach 100% renewable energy across all business operations by 2030.50% Shipments net zero carbon by 2030
Our vision to make all Amazon shipments net zero carbon, with 50% of all shipments net zero carbon by 2030.
More about Amazon´s Sustainability strategy can be found here