Djbrilla Issa Hamani
MAR 100-B050
Spring 2023
Professor Buckler
Assignment B
Since its founding by Jeff Bezos in 1994, Amazon has grown to become one of the biggest online retailers in the world, providing a variety of goods and services to customers throughout the world. Since its launch, the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon, is drawing increasing criticism for its effects on the environment and society. The business has therefore taken action to deal with these issues and seek a more sustainable and socially responsible business plan. This essay will analyze Amazon’s current CSR and sustainability initiatives and offer suggestions on ways to make the company more moral, socially conscious, and/or ecologically conscious.
One of Amazon’s most important sustainability initiatives is their pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. I believe it is a noble objective, and the business has made significant investments in renewable energy projects, including wind and solar farms, to power its operations. Moreover, it has started the $2 billion Climate Commitment Fund, an investment fund with the goal of speeding the creation of sustainable goods and technologies. This is a fantastic project since it will enable Amazon to use its resources and influence to promote innovation and the sustainability efforts of the sector.
Amazon’s emphasis on waste reduction and escalating recycling initiatives is something else I enjoy. The business has put in place packaging reduction programs, such as the Frustration-Free Packaging program, which gets rid of extra packaging, cuts waste, and makes it simpler for customers to open and recycle products. With the help of other companies, Amazon has also started a recycling program that enables users to recycle their unwanted materials. By highlighting the company’s dedication to sustainability, these activities not only help the environment but also help increase consumer loyalty.
Another crucial initiative that Amazon has taken is its commitment to community engagement. I think this is an important aspect of CSR, and the company has launched programs to support small businesses and entrepreneurs, including the Amazon Small Business Academy, which provides training and resources to help these businesses succeed. Amazon has also donated millions of dollars to charitable organizations and disaster relief efforts around the world. These efforts demonstrate the company’s commitment to giving back and making a positive impact on society. Amazon’s pursuit of CSR and sustainability has advanced significantly, but there are still a number of areas where it might do better. The following suggestions can help you build a business that is more moral, charitable, and environmentally friendly.
I advise Amazon to keep placing a high priority on minimizing the environmental impact of its operations by putting waste reduction initiatives in place, investing in renewable energy, and enhancing its transportation methods. Amazon should look at more environmentally friendly delivery choices, such using electric or hybrid cars, and more environmentally friendly packing materials. Amazon needs to enhance the working conditions and pay for its employees, including providing a secure and healthy workplace, competitive pay, and sufficient benefits. According to The New York Times, “Employees struggled to even reach their case managers, wading through automated phone trees that routed their calls to overwhelmed back-office staff in Costa Rica, India and Las Vegas.” I think to aid employees in advancing their careers, the corporation could think about funding training and development initiatives.
In conclusion, we can claim that Amazon has made great progress in pursuing CSR and sustainability, with programs centered on community involvement, waste reduction, renewable energy, and more. Yet, the firm may go farther by giving greater priority to minimizing its impact on the environment, enhancing labor practices, raising transparency and accountability, working with stakeholders, and encouraging sustainable innovation. By making these changes, Amazon can lead the industry and set the way for a more egalitarian and sustainable future.
Works Cited
Kantor, Jodi, et al. “Inside Amazon’s Worst Human Resources Problem.” The New York Times, 24 Oct. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/10/24/technology/amazon-employee-leave-errors.html.
