Amazon, the e-commerce giant, announced a significant investment of $3 million in nature-based projects in India. This funding is part of Amazon’s $15 million commitment to supporting such projects in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.
The initial $3 million from the APAC fund will directly benefit nature-based initiatives in India. Amazon’s first project in this endeavor will involve collaboration with the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS).
The aim is to aid local communities and conservation efforts in the Western Ghats, an area that is home to more than 30% of India’s wildlife species, including the world’s largest population of wild Asiatic elephants and tigers.
Amazon’s contribution will specifically involve $1 million to establish the “Wild Carbon” program by CWS. This program will directly assist 10,000 farmers in planting and nurturing one million fruit-bearing, timber, and medicinal trees.
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Kara Hurst, Amazon’s Global VP for Sustainability, underlined the critical importance of protecting the APAC region, which is highly vulnerable to climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. Amazon is firmly committed to investing in both large-scale and local initiatives to safeguard this region.
The $15 million fund originates from Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund, which was established in 2019. Its primary purpose is to support projects that enhance climate resilience, biodiversity, and provide social and environmental benefits to the communities where Amazon operates.
CWS Executive Director Krithi Karanth noted that Amazon’s support will empower the creation of a self-sustaining program.
Farmers will directly receive support to choose tree varieties that benefit both their livelihoods and local wildlife. They will also receive technical assistance, agroforestry training, and assistance with replanting when needed.
In 2019, Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge, making a commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, a full decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s target.
The Climate Pledge now boasts over 400 signatories across 55 industries and 38 countries, including nine Indian companies.
In 2022, Amazon initiated six utility-scale projects in India with the goal of powering its global operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025, five years ahead of its initial 2030 target.
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These projects include three wind-solar hybrid projects in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, along with three solar farms in Rajasthan, totaling a renewable energy capacity of 920 megawatts.
Furthermore, Amazon India has made a direct commitment to deploy 10,000 electric vehicles in its delivery fleet by 2025, demonstrating its unwavering dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
