Amazon is joining the CISL’s UK and European Corporate Leaders Groups at a pivotal time for global progress on climate action in the wake of COP26 hosted by the UK and as the EU looks to assert its “Fit for 55” package to deliver deeper emissions reduction by 2030.
In 2019, Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge, a commitment to be net-zero carbon across its business by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement. The business has committed to transitioning its operations to 100% renewable energy by 2025, and is the UK’s, Europe’s and the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy.
“Amazon is committed to building a sustainable business for its customers and the planet,” said Zak Watts, Director, Sustainability, Europe, Amazon. “We look forward to working closely with the UK and European Corporate Leaders Groups as part of our commitment to building a sustainable business. Amazon is tackling climate change, driving down our own emissions intensity through the acceleration of renewable energy and investments in electric vehicles, and encouraging other businesses to play their part through The Climate Pledge.”
Businesses have a role to play in supporting policymakers by taking a lead on climate ambition, showing their readiness to implement changes to support the transition to a climate neutral economy and supporting wider systemic change within the sectors they operate.
“Amazon’s decision to join the Corporate Leaders Groups demonstrates their clear commitment to support the UK and Europe to accelerate on the journey to a more sustainable, climate neutral economy,” said Eliot Whittington, Director of the Corporate Leaders Groups. “They have a significant track record in accelerating support for renewable energy and supporting other initiatives on climate change and we look forward to working with them to further step up climate action in the UK and Europe.
“The increasing interest in the UK and European Corporate Leaders Groups is a clear signal showing the growing breadth and depth of business appetite for climate ambition across the UK and Europe."
In the UK, the Government is focused on delivering its Net Zero Strategy set out last October to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy to meet the country’s net zero target by 2050. Additionally, in its role as COP President, the UK continues to exert global pressure to deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact and is working to engage business further on accelerating climate action to keep up momentum in the lead-up to COP27.
In European climate politics the European Union is set to revise its climate and energy policy framework under the “Fit for 55” Package to achieve at least 55% net emissions reductions by 2030 and climate neutrality latest by 2050. The successful delivery of the EU’s new climate and energy policies would support the transformation of the European economy by giving a strong policy framework for business operations and increasing investor certainty.
The secretariat of the CLGs are provided by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and the groups have a cross-sectoral membership of influential businesses working towards a sustainable economy. Amazon joins existing full members: Anglian Water, ACCIONA, Ball, Coca Cola European Partners, DSM, EDF, Ferrovial, Iberdrola, Ingka Group, Interface, Llyods Banking Group, Microsoft, ROCKWOOL, Salesforce, Signify, Sky, Stora Enso, Tesco, Thames Water and Unilever.
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