Can We Trust Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly Badge?

Have you noticed a small green badge on some Amazon products that says Climate Pledge Friendly? Amazon uses it to help you find sustainable products more easily.

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But how does Amazon assign this badge and can we really trust its process?

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What Does Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly Badge Mean?

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Amazon has compiled a list of over 40 certifications such as Cradle to Cradle, Fairtrade, EWG Verified, GOTS, FSC, and Made Safe. It has two of its own certifications as well: Compact by Design and Pre-Owned Certified. If a product has one or more of these 40+ certifications, it gets the Climate Pledge Friendly Badge.

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We noticed that some key certifications such as B Corp and Climate Neutral Certified are missing from Amazon's list.

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When browsing Amazon, you'll spot the Climate Pledge Friendly badge at the top of the product page. For these products, you'll also notice a note like "X Sustainability features" just below the product reviews. Here, X indicates the number of certifications (from the 40+ list) the product has earned. A higher number of certifications suggests a more sustainable product. This system aims to simplify comparisons between products bearing the badge.

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While the Climate Pledge Friendly badge makes it easier to spot sustainable products, it doesn't fix all of Amazon's environmental problems. We feel Amazon can take a lot more planet-friendly initiatives than it is, given the resources and influence it has.

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Despite making a pledge in 2019 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, Amazon's carbon footprint surged from 51 million metric tons in 2019 to 71 million in 2021. A modest 3% drop occurred in 2023, yet the company still emits 34% more carbon as compared to 2019. Amazon claims it will reduce pollution and achieve 100% renewable energy use ahead of schedule. However, critics contend that the company is manipulating the numbers by excluding emissions from third-party sellers, who account for over half of its sales. Amazon's sustainability journey thus presents a complex mix of progress and controversy.

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Shop More Sustainably On Amazon

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To make your shopping experience on Amazon more sustainable, here are certain features that you can use in addition to the Climate Pledge Friendly badge:

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• Amazon Day Delivery: It's a nifty Prime feature that bundles all your weekly orders into one delivery day. Instead of getting multiple packages throughout the week, you'll get everything in one go. It's simple, efficient, and better for the environment.
• Amazon Pre-Owned Certified, Renewed, and Warehouse: These options are great ways to shop more sustainably on the platform. By buying used items, you're helping extend product lifespans, which reduces e-waste and the need for raw materials. It's a smart move for conscious shoppers who still want the convenience of Amazon.