Amazon and Global Optimism announced this week that more than 100 companies have now signed on to The Climate Pledge, more than doubling the count in time for Earth Day 2021. Signatories in total generate more than $1.4 trillion in global annual sales and have more than 5 million employees across 25 industries in 16 countries—demonstrating the collective impact The Climate Pledge can have in addressing climate change.
By signing on, they agree to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis, implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement, and neutralize any remaining emissions with additional offsets to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050. Signatories are taking science-based, high-impact actions to tackle climate change by innovating in areas such as supply-chain efficiency, sustainable transportation, circular economy, and clean-energy solutions. Many organizations are also involving customers in their journey to net-zero with initiatives focused on innovative packaging and sustainable product design.
“Less than two years ago, Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge and called on other companies to reach the Paris Agreement 10 years early,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder and CEO. “We are proud to stand with other signatories to use our scale to decarbonize the economy through real business change and innovation.”
“We helped to initiate The Climate Pledge to prove a model that accelerates decarbonization with the most ambitious companies,” added Christiana Figueres, the UN’s former climate chief and now founding partner of Global Optimism. “There is no doubt we’re at a tipping point to establish the low carbon economy envisioned in the Paris Agreement. I commend the leadership of the companies that have joined The Climate Pledge already and look forward to welcoming the next 100.”
New transportation-related signatories include AECOM, Alaska Airlines, Convoy, Edmonton International Airport, Karma Automotive, and Optimus Ride. They join others like Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Uber, JetBlue, Cabify, Boom, and Harbour Air Group.
Of course, Amazon itself is doing its part. Earlier this week the company announced that it is now the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy globally and in Europe with 206 projects around the world. With more than 2.5 GW of capacity in Europe and 8.5 GW of renewable energy capacity globally, Amazon is on a path to 100% renewable energy by 2025.
After announcing the purchase of 100,000 custom electric delivery vehicles as part of The Climate Pledge, Amazon has begun testing the new vans on delivery routes. Customers will begin seeing more of the custom electric delivery vehicles in up to 15 additional cities in 2021, ahead of tens of thousands of vehicles hitting the road over the next few years. Its electric vans hit the road in San Francisco, the second of 16 cities.
“We’re loving the enthusiasm from customers so far—from the photos we see online to the car fans who stop our drivers for a first-hand look at the vehicle,” said Ross Rachey, Director of Amazon’s Global Fleet and Products. “From what we’ve seen, this is one of the fastest modern commercial electrification programs, and we’re incredibly proud of that.”
Amazon partnered with The Climate Pledge signatory Rivian, leveraging its customizable skateboard platform to create a first-of-its-kind all-electric delivery vehicle.
“Rivian’s purpose is to deliver products that the world didn’t already have, to redefine expectations through the application of technology and innovation,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian Founder and CEO. “This milestone is one example of how Rivian and Amazon are working toward the world of 2040, and we hope it inspires other companies to fundamentally change the way that they operate.”
Amazon is not the only company enthusiastic about Rivian’s sustainable-mobility future prospects.
In January, Rivian announced that it had closed another investment round. The $2.65 billion in financing was led by funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and included Fidelity Management and Research Co., Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Coatue, and D1 Capital Partners—as well as several other existing and new investors. The investment announcement is Rivian’s first in 2021. The company has now raised $8 billion since the start of 2019.
“This is a critical year for us as we are launching the R1T, the R1S, and the Amazon commercial delivery vehicles,” said Scaringe. “The support and confidence of our investors enable us to remain focused on these launches while simultaneously scaling our business for our next stage of growth.”
“We have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of 2021, and with it, the exhilaration of Rivian starting to deliver its revolutionary products to customers,” added Joe Fath, T. Rowe Price portfolio manager.
New signatory Karma Automotive’s The Climate Pledge commitment encompasses its production facility, supply chain partners, and product lineup which includes vehicles powered by both hybrid and pure electric powertrains and propulsion systems.
Karma says it will continue to align with partners that share the same philosophy on protecting the environment and investing in research and development projects that have a positive effect on the planet. The company is looking to collaborate with other Climate Pledge signatories on green R&D technologies in the automotive space to advance and attain the goal of becoming net carbon neutral. It will employ the organization’s collaborative Scope 3 reporting system and shares regular status updates with the World Economic Forum.
“We would like the community to work towards action and to use this platform for true change and show a true commitment to the environment,” said Dr. Lance Zhou, Karma Automotive CEO. ”We would like The Climate Pledge to continuously challenge those in the community to meet and exceed their goals.”
