Finding ways to reduce emissions in freight transportation plays a crucial role in global sustainability. From reducing empty miles, to utilizing renewable energy sources and electric vehicles, this industry supports building a path to a more sustainable future.

Why is this important for shippers? Working with a freight transportation provider who pursues sustainability is key for enhancing your environmental impact for the better, while giving your end customers what they want. To help achieve those goals, Amazon is prioritizing sustainability in transportation. Here’s how we’re doing it:

Co-founding The Climate Pledge
In 2019, Amazon took on an ambitious goal to reach net-zero carbon across its operations by 2040. We co-founded The Climate Pledge, with our partner Global Optimism, to call on others in the business community to join us in reaching net-zero carbon by 2040. This is 10 years ahead of the 2050 Paris Agreement.

Launched soon after, the Climate Pledge Fund is Amazon’s $2 billion venture capital fund that invests in visionary companies whose products and services will facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy. The Fund’s goal is to develop green technologies that will support companies of all sizes on their path to decarbonizing their operations.

Growing our fleet of electric and sustainable delivery options
In 2022, we had 9,000 electric delivery vehicles in our global Amazon fleet, and 145 million packages were delivered by EVs in the U.S. and Europe. Today, we have more than 13,500 custom electric delivery vans across the U.S. Our goal is to get 100,000 electric delivery vehicles in service by 2030. Most recently, we’ve rolled out heavy-duty electric trucks, an important milestone in our effort to decarbonize every step of the delivery process. Based in Southern California, the trucks are fully electric and will haul cargo containers and packages along Amazon’s first- and middle-mile legs.

We’ve also procured millions of gallons of renewable natural gas to power compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks in our North American fleet, reducing our reliance on fossil fuel-based alternatives. We have around 3,000 CNG trucks in North America and are partnering with other companies to launch fueling stations to support them.

Reducing supply chain emissions
We know that to lessen our carbon footprint, we have to work with our supply chain partners and other organizations to help decarbonize their operations. We’ll be revising our Supply Chain Standards to require suppliers to share their carbon emissions data with us and set their own carbon goals. We’ll use our learnings, processes, and technology to help them reach their goals. For instance, that could be transitioning to renewable energy, accessing more sustainable materials, or sharing what success we’ve had with new advancements such as electric vehicles.

Accelerating to the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy
Matching the electricity used by our operations with 100% renewable energy is a priority for Amazon and part of our commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040. Amazon has been the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy since 2020.

We’ve invested in more than 500 solar and wind projects around the world that help power our operations, including offshore wind farms, solar projects with battery storage, and rooftop solar arrays on Amazon buildings.

Reducing packaging and prioritizing recyclability
McKinsey & Company reports that, in 2023, 57% of U.S. consumers prioritized environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when considering their purchases. Recyclability was a high-priority attribute for these consumers.

Since 2015, we’ve reduced per-shipment packaging weight by 41%, on average, which represents more than 2.1 million tons of materials avoided (that’s equal to more than 173 Space Needles). And in 2022, we decreased single-use plastic delivery packaging by 11.6% across our global operations by using even more paper-based packaging.

Last year, we announced our first automated Fulfillment Center in the U.S. to replace plastic delivery packaging with paper solutions that are curbside recyclable. This is part of a multiyear effort to convert our centers in the U.S. to paper, a transition that will allow many customers to recycle at home.

Learn more
Your freight provider plays an important role in upholding sustainability standards for your brand. At Amazon, we are making headway for a more sustainable transportation industry.

In 2023, we received one of the BNSF Railway’s Sustainability Awards that are, in BNSF Railway’s words, for organizations “on the right track when it comes to sustainability.” Sustainability Magazine has also named Amazon to their top 10 list of sustainable transport and logistics companies in 2024.

You can learn more about how Amazon is meeting the sustainability demands of its customers and yours here. And if you're interested in how Amazon Freight can help your shipping needs, contact our Enterprise Team.