How Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly is shaping the future of sustainable e-commerce

E-commerce is rapidly transforming the retail landscape, with 41% of global retail sales to be online by 2027. Leading this shift is Amazon, a pioneer that redefined online shopping and now dominates key markets.

In the United States, 83% of households make at least one annual purchase on Amazon, with an average yearly spend exceeding $2,700. In Europe, Amazon holds a 54% market share, with customers in top markets—United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain—spending over €1,000 each year.

In 2020, Amazon introduced the Climate Pledge Friendly program to promote products meeting sustainability standards, leveraging its global influence to accelerate environmental progress in e-commerce.

Online shopping emissions

About 90% of online shoppers expect two- or three-day delivery, and 76% expect free returns. To meet these demands, retailers increasingly rely on carbon-intensive shipping methods like air freight. As a result, shipping and returns account for 37% of global e-commerce greenhouse gas emissions, reducing much of the sustainability advantage online shopping could have over traditional retail.

Consumers are eager to make environmentally conscious choices—over 65% of all shoppers prefer sustainable products, with that number rising to over 90% among Gen Z and Millennials. Yet, they often struggle to find brands with transparent and authentic commitments. To unlock e-commerce’s sustainable potential and meet consumer demand, major platforms must lead the way in decarbonizing operations and supply chains.

Amazon’s opportunity to lead

In 2019, Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge, bringing together private and public sector organizations committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040—ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement’s targets. As the first signatory and leading advocate, Amazon has implemented sustainability measures across its global operations, including waste reduction, a transition to renewable energy, packaging and logistics overhauls, and the introduction of a new fleet of electric delivery vehicles.

One of Amazon’s largest initiatives is the Climate Pledge Friendly program, designed to help shoppers identify sustainable products. Amazon has established strict eligibility criteria, covering responsible manufacturing, energy efficiency, safer chemicals, and organic materials. As a trusted third-party certifier, ClimatePartner has worked closely with Amazon to ensure our certification aligns with Climate Pledge Friendly’s high standards. Products certified by ClimatePartner earn a recognizable badge on Amazon, making it easier for online shoppers to "look for the leaf" and choose credible, sustainable options.

Climate Pledge Friendly benefits the environment and sellers

Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program encourages brands to assess their products and reduce their environmental impact. With over 1.4 million certified products, it expands access to alternatives that consumers can trust.

Beyond its environmental impact, the program provides tangible benefits for sellers. Certified products received enhanced visibility through 22 discovery features and priority placement. In their first year, these products experience an average 10% increase in page views and a 12% increase in sales*.

For small to medium-sized sellers, these sales benefits provide a competitive advantage through sustainable alternatives. Meanwhile, brands that have already taken climate action can leverage the Climate Pledge Friendly badge as a trust signal, demonstrating third-party verification of their commitments and unlocking Amazon’s exclusive promotional tools.

How do products qualify for Climate Pledge Friendly?

Amazon recognizes ClimatePartner as a trusted certifier for the Climate Pledge Friendly program. The ClimatePartner certified product label signifies that a product has taken meaningful sustainability actions. To ensure transparency, consumers can access detailed impact data via a unique QR code or climate-ID number.

ClimatePartner has certified over 85,000 ASINs for placement in Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program. Our solution combines software and expert consulting to calculate precise product carbon footprints, set reduction targets, and implement product-level sustainability measures. The final step involves contributing to verified climate projects in an amount equal to the product’s emissions. Once these steps are completed, the product earns the ClimatePartner certified product label, and its ASINs are submitted directly to Amazon for Climate Pledge Friendly program eligibility.

Take climate action today

E-commerce must take decisive action to reduce emissions given the scale of greenhouse gas emissions from their supply chains. Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program sets a new standard for verifying sustainable products, establishing strict requirements for climate action and leveraging a network of accredited third-party certifiers.

Ready to unlock the benefits of Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly?

*Average lift - results varied based on factors such as in-stock, pricing and category. No guarantee of impact on sales performance through ClimatePartner certification provided.