Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos speaks during his news conference at the National Press Club in Washington on Thursday. Bezos announced the Climate Pledge, setting a goal to meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos speaks during his news conference at the National Press Club in Washington on Thursday. Bezos announced the Climate Pledge, setting a goal to meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Amazon vows to cut emissions to combat climate change

The announcement comes on the eve of tomorrow’s Global Climate Strike.

  • By JOSEPH PISANI and BANI SAPRA AP Business Writers
  • Thursday, September 19, 2019 10:13am
  • Business

By Joseph Pisani and Bani Sapra / Associated Press

NEW YORK — Amazon, which delivers more than 10 billion items a year on fuel-guzzling planes, vans and trucks, vowed Thursday to cut the amount of damage it does to the environment and report its greenhouse gas emissions regularly.

The online shopping giant has been facing pressure from its own employees to do more to combat climate change and rely less on fossil fuels.

To cut emissions, Amazon says it has ordered 100,000 electric delivery vans that will start hitting the road in 2021. And it plans to have 100% of its energy use come from solar panels and other renewable energy by 2030. That’s up from 40% today.

The announcement comes a day before more than 1,500 Amazon employees pledged to walk off their jobs as part of the Global Climate Strike, in which thousands of people around the world will protest climate change.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

The Verdant Health Commission holds a meeting on Oct. 22, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Verdant Health Commission to increase funding

Community Health organizations and food banks are funded by Swedish hospital rent.

Sound Sports Performance & Training owner Frederick Brooks inside his current location on Oct. 30, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood gym moves to the ground floor of Triton Court

Expansion doubles the space of Sound Sports and Training as owner Frederick Brooks looks to train more trainers.

The entrance to EvergreenHealth Monroe on Monday, April 1, 2019 in Monroe, Wash. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvergreenHealth Monroe buys medical office building

The purchase is the first part of a hospital expansion.

The new T&T Supermarket set to open in November on Oct. 20, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
TT Supermarket sets Nov. 13 opening date in Lynnwood

The new store will be only the second in the U.S. for the Canadian-based supermarket and Asian grocery.

Judi Ramsey, owner of Artisans, inside her business on Sept. 22, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Artisans PNW allows public to buy works of 100 artists

Combo coffee, art gallery, bookshop aims to build business in Everett.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett-based Helion receives approval to build fusion power plant

The plant is to be based in Chelan County and will power Microsoft data centers.

The Port of Everett’s new Director of Seaport Operations Tim Ryker on Oct. 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Port of Everett names new chief of seaport operations

Tim Ryker replaced longtime Chief Operating Officer Carl Wollebek, who retired.

The Lynnwood City Council listens to a presentation on the development plan for the Lynnwood Event Center during a city council meeting on Oct. 13, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood City Council approves development of ‘The District’

The initial vision calls for a downtown hub offering a mix of retail, events, restaurants and residential options.

Customers walk in and out of Fred Meyer along Evergreen Way on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Closure of Fred Meyer leads Everett to consider solutions for vacant retail properties

One proposal would penalize landlords who don’t rent to new tenants after a store closes.

Everly Finch, 7, looks inside an enclosure at the Reptile Zoo on Aug. 19, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Monroe’s Reptile Zoo to stay open

Roadside zoo owner reverses decision to close after attendance surge.

Trade group bus tour makes two stops in Everett

The tour aimed to highlight the contributions of Washington manufacturers.

Downtown Everett lumberyard closes after 75 years

Downtown Everett lumber yard to close after 75 years.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.