Amazon achieves climate first with Seattle Amazon Fresh store
Amazon is taking another step forward in its commitment to reach net-zero carbon with a first-of-its-kind achievement.
A high-tech Amazon Fresh grocery store in Seattle has received a Zero Carbon Certification from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), becoming the world’s first grocery store—and Amazon’s first building—to receive the certification. ILFI awarded the certification in September 2023.
Amazon announced it would seek IFLI certification for the store when it opened in March 2022. This recognition marks a step in Amazon’s Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040.
[Read more: First Look: Amazon debuts new high-tech grocery store]
The omnichannel giant designed the Seattle store with sustainability features and says it has saved 100 tons of CO2e since opening the location in 2022. Specific climate-friendly features of the store include a natural-refrigerant-based refrigeration system, all-electric kitchen and hot water heating systems, electric-vehicle charging for customers, and low-carbon concrete floors. In addition, customers will be able to choose from a variety of “Climate Pledge Friendly” products that Amazon has certified as eco-friendly, ranging from grocery items to household cleaning and beauty products.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the team and everyone involved in this achievement,” said Tony Hoggett, senior VP of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores, in a corporate blog post. “At Amazon, we’re building a best-in-class grocery shopping experience, and part of that is bringing customers more sustainable options across our stores. Enacting initiatives that support Amazon’s commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2040, like the Zero Carbon Certification, are a win for our planet.”
The ILFI Zero Carbon Certification is a global standard mandating combustion-free systems, reductions in operational and embodied carbon impacts of a building, and measured achievement through demonstrated data. Its certification is a standard for validating building decarbonization efforts. To achieve it, the Amazon Fresh store operations were reviewed for 12 consecutive months.
“We’re thrilled to see this leadership from Amazon,” said Lindsay Baker, CEO of ILFI. “A grocery store showing how to be accountable for all its carbon—from construction and materials to operations—is impactful from both a customer and industry perspective.”
In addition to the Seattle Amazon Fresh location, three Los Angeles-area Amazon Go frictionless convenience store locations, an Amazon same-day delivery site in Sacramento, and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle are currently on track to receive Zero Carbon Certification from ILFI.