Amazon announced The Climate Pledge Fund to support the development of sustainable technologies and services that will enable Amazon and other companies to meet The Climate Pledge—a commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040. This dedicated venture investment program—with an initial $2 billion in funding—will back visionary companies whose products and services will facilitate the transition to a zero carbon economy. Last year, Amazon and Global Optimism co-founded The Climate Pledge, a commitment to reach the Paris Agreement ten years early and be net zero carbon by 2040. Verizon, Reckitt Benckiser (RB), and Infosys recently joined the pledge—sending an important signal to the market that there will be rapid growth in demand for products and services that help reduce carbon emissions. Amazon’s new Climate Pledge Fund will accelerate investment in innovations for the zero carbon economy of the future.

Many business owners striving to adopt eco-friendly practices have begun to view direct mail and other responsible paper use with skepticism based on false information and “greenwashing.” However, the paper and mailing industries have long been proactive in implementing sustainable practices that not only mitigate environmental concerns but also contribute positively to our planet’s health. The paper industry has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. In the U.S., over 1 billion trees are planted annually, with the industry playing a significant role in these reforestation efforts. This dedication ensures that forested areas remain stable, supporting biodiversity and contributing to carbon sequestration. Forests are pivotal in absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂), acting as significant carbon sinks. Recent studies indicate that global forests absorb approximately twice as much CO₂ as they emit annually, sequestering around 7.6 billion metric tons of CO₂ each year.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Center for Corporate Climate Leadership recognized Kimberly-Clark with one of only 17 Climate Leadership Awards given nationwide for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The awards acknowledge the voluntary work organizations do to manage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain. Kimberly-Clark received the Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management "Goal Achievement Award" for reporting and verifying organization-wide greenhouse gas inventories and achieving publicly-set aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals. "We're proud of the progress we've made in finding ways to grow sustainably," said Sandra MacQuillan, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer for Kimberly-Clark. "We are increasing efforts to educate, excite and engage employees around sustainability by demonstrating how it connects with our vision and values as a company."