New Amazon Service Brings Vetted Carbon Credits to Corporate Buyers

Amazon is widening the path to carbon credit access with the rollout of a new service for companies serious about decarbonisation. Through its Sustainability Exchange platform, the tech giant now enables eligible businesses in the U.S. to invest in high-quality, science-backed carbon credits—strengthening its wider mission to achieve net-zero emissions across all operations by 2040.

A tree sapling sprouts from the soil, with an Amazon van and courier in the background. AI generated picture.

The service is tailored to companies that are already working toward verified environmental targets. To qualify, participants must set and maintain net-zero commitments that include Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, regularly disclose emissions data, and implement credible, science-aligned environmental strategies. This ensures that carbon credit purchases supplement—not replace—genuine reductions.

‘The voluntary carbon market has been challenged with issues of transparency, credibility, and the availability of high-quality carbon credits, which has led to scepticism about nature and technological carbon removal as an effective tool to combat climate change,’ said Kara Hurst, Amazon’s chief sustainability officer. ‘We’re using our size and high vetting standards to help promote additional investments in nature.’

Amazon’s credits support projects that aim to restore forests, prevent deforestation, and scale carbon removal technologies—initiatives that align with IPCC research calling for the removal of a trillion tons of carbon from the atmosphere by century’s end.

Industry leaders are applauding the effort. ‘Deforestation drives 30% of global emissions—if we don’t end and reverse it, we won't get a handle on climate change,’ said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. ‘The game-changer? Major private sector players like Amazon stepping up.’

A number of companies have already joined the initiative, including Steelcase, Corsair, Flickr, and Slalom. ‘Sourcing high-quality credits is a must for us,’ said Kristine Rohls, chief people officer at Slalom. ‘With a trusted partner like Amazon by our side, we’re excited and confident our move into the voluntary carbon market will truly make a difference.’

Fred Krupp of the Environmental Defense Fund echoed the urgency of the moment: ‘Our planet can’t wait. The need for bold corporate environmental action has never been more urgent.’