Amazon's $15 Million Commitment to Nature-Based Solutions in APAC

In a significant move towards environmental conservation and climate resilience, Amazon, the US-based retail giant, has earmarked a substantial $15 million for nature-based solutions in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This ambitious initiative begins with an initial allocation of $3 million to support nature-based projects in India.

Protecting Asia-Pacific's Precious Ecosystems

The APAC region boasts vast forests and rich coastal environments, but it is increasingly susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. Recognizing these challenges, Amazon is taking proactive measures to safeguard the region's natural heritage.

Amazon's Commitment to Sustainability

Kara Hurst, Amazon's Global VP for Sustainability, expressed the company's dedication to making a difference: "To protect the region from the impacts of climate change and preserve biodiversity, we will need both large-scale and local action – and we're committed to investing in both."

This commitment aligns with Amazon's broader sustainability efforts and its pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement's schedule.

The 'Right Now Climate Fund' and Its Impact

The $15 million allocation is part of Amazon's larger $100 million 'Right Now Climate Fund,' which was established in 2019. This fund aims to bolster conservation and restoration initiatives with a focus on enhancing climate resilience and biodiversity. It emphasizes Amazon's proactive stance in addressing critical environmental challenges.

Amazon's Inaugural Initiative in India

In its inaugural Indian endeavor, Amazon is partnering with the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) to strengthen community engagement and conservation efforts within the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. This region houses over 30 percent of India's diverse wildlife species, including significant populations of wild Asiatic elephants and tigers.

The "Wild Carbon" Program

Amazon's contribution of $1 million to the Centre for Wildlife Studies will aid in the establishment of the "Wild Carbon" program. This initiative seeks to empower 10,000 farmers to plant and nurture one million fruit-bearing, timber, and medicinal trees. The project selection process prioritizes initiatives that positively impact local communities, livelihoods, and the environment.

Future Investments in India and APAC

Amazon is not stopping here. The company has plans to announce further investments in projects located in India and other APAC countries in the coming months. These investments will continue to support initiatives that contribute to the well-being of communities and the environment.

A Global Commitment to Sustainability

Amazon's commitment to sustainability extends beyond India and APAC. In 2022, Amazon launched several substantial utility-scale projects in India, actively progressing towards its goal of achieving 100 percent renewable energy for global operations by 2025. Furthermore, Amazon India has pledged to incorporate 10,000 electric vehicles into its delivery fleet by 2025.

International Nature Programs and Collaborations

Amazon's efforts in APAC are part of a broader commitment to nature conservation. In Singapore, the company is involved in the creation of the International Blue Carbon Institute in collaboration with Conservation International.

This initiative aims to mitigate climate change and protect coastal communities by restoring and protecting coastal and marine carbon ecosystems, often referred to as "blue carbon" ecosystems.

European Initiatives Under the 'Right Now Climate Fund'

In Europe, Amazon's 'Right Now Climate Fund' has allocated €20 million to support nature-based projects. These include a nature and wildlife restoration fund in France, a reforestation program in Italy, an urban greening program in Germany, rewilding and tree planting projects in the UK, and the world's first commercial-scale seaweed farm located between offshore wind turbines off the coast of the Netherlands.

Global Impact through Collaborations

Beyond these regional efforts, Amazon has funded forest conservation and restoration in the Appalachian Mountains in the United States, participated in the Agroforestry and Restoration Accelerator program in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, and played a pivotal role as a founding member of the LEAF Coalition—a global public-private initiative working to mobilize over $1 billion to protect the world's tropical rainforests.