In a move to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, Amazon recently announced its initial investments in the emerging field of direct air capture (DAC) technology today.
CNBC reports that the e-commerce giant plans to purchase 250,000 metric tons of carbon removal over the next decade and support the development of modular DAC systems.
Amazon's Carbon Removal Purchase
Amazon's proactive approach to climate change is seen in its purchase deal with 1PointFive's STRATOS, the world's largest DAC plant, now under construction in Texas.
For ten years, Amazon will procure carbon removal credits equivalent to the carbon naturally stored in 290,000 acres of US forests.
According to Kara Hurst, Vice President of Worldwide Sustainability at Amazon, this commitment represents "every possible avenue to reduce carbon in the atmosphere."
The captured carbon will find its home deep underground in saline aquifers-geological rock formations saturated in salt water.
The scale of this operation is substantial, with the captured emissions amounting to the equivalent of those emitted by 55,633 gasoline-powered cars in a single year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Investment in CarbonCapture Inc.
In addition to its carbon purchase agreement, Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund invests in CarbonCapture Inc., a climate technology firm renowned for its pioneering modular DAC systems.
These systems are designed to be adaptable over time, allowing for integrating next-generation sorbent's essential components in filtering carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
A Global Carbon Removal Imperative
The move comes at a critical juncture as global efforts intensify to combat climate change.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores the urgency of removing approximately 1 trillion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere within this century.
According to CNBC, Amazon's decision follows Microsoft's commitment to purchase carbon credits from California-based startup Heirloom Carbon, which utilizes limestone to extract carbon from the atmosphere. Over the next decade, the credits will eliminate up to 315,000 metric tons of CO2.
Amazon's Broader Sustainability Drive
DAC technology is an integral part of Amazon's broader sustainability strategy, which encompasses the transition to renewable energy, the use of sustainable materials in construction, and the electrification of its vast delivery fleet.
More than 9,000 electric delivery vehicles constitute Amazon's global fleet, delivering millions of packages worldwide. The company has also significantly reduced packaging per shipment, eliminating the need for over 2 million tons of packaging material since 2015.
The Climate Pledge Fund
Amazon's involvement in co-founding The Climate Pledge in 2019 demonstrates its dedication to driving climate action on a global scale.
The Climate Pledge now boasts over 400 signatories, including major companies such as Best Buy, IBM, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Siemens, Unilever, Verizon, and Visa.
Amazon is investing $2 billion through the Climate Pledge Fund to develop decarbonizing services and solutions as part of its broader initiatives. The fund currently supports 23 companies and startups across five countries.
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