Nurturing nature: How Amazon approaches biodiversity

Amazon is working to protect and restore biodiversity through more sustainable sourcing choices, better building practices, and contributions to restoring nature.

In the past five decades, global wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73%. The statistic is a stark indicator that biodiversity—the variety of species living on Earth and the habitats, ecosystems, and natural processes that support them—is under severe stress due to land conversion, direct exploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. That’s why Amazon recognizes the critical importance of biodiversity to the health of the planet, communities, and our business.

Our approach begins with a simple principle: avoiding and reducing impact. We’re in the early stages of this work, focusing on key areas where we believe we can make the most meaningful difference as we learn and scale our program, including Amazon’s supply chain, buildings, and contributions to restoring nature.

Sourcing materials that are better for the planet

Agricultural expansion is one of the primary drivers of natural habitat loss worldwide, so we're addressing the commodities in our supply chain. We're working to measure and, as needed, avoid and minimize our land footprint and the risk of habitat conversion from natural land to agricultural use. One way is through sourcing goals and ambitions for various materials and agricultural products, and work with certification bodies like the Rainforest Alliance and the Forest Stewardship Council.

Another example is Whole Foods Market’s longstanding support of more sustainable agricultural production methods, such as organic and regenerative agriculture, that can enhance soil health and protect biodiversity. In 2003, Whole Foods became the first certified organic national grocer and remains the only one to this day. About a third of all products—and over 61% of all fresh produce—sold at Whole Foods in 2024 were organic. Whole Foods’ Prairie Strips Project, launched in 2024 in collaboration with Mad Agriculture, will plant and maintain over 100 acres of native plants on farms that supply ingredients to brands sold in stores, helping to protect pollinators, enhance soil health, and support water retention. In 2024, in recognition of its ongoing work supporting pollinators through its Pollinator Health Policy for Fresh Produce and Floral, Whole Foods earned the top ranking on Friends of the Earth's Bee-Friendly Retailer Scorecard.

We’re also focusing on the buildings that support our businesses, including retail operations and data centers. We're developing metrics, tools, and guidelines to help inform decision-making at the earliest stages of new construction projects and to better understand habitat conditions at our existing sites. As a first step, at 24 building sites in Europe, North America, and India we're studying habitat conditions and developing site designs that help avoid and reduce habitat loss, such as preserving native plant varieties and reducing impermeable surfaces, which can prevent water from returning to the soil. And we’re exploring how artificial intelligence can help us to scale these practices more broadly.

Helping to restore nature

Our approach extends beyond our direct business operations. We're supporting nature conservation and climate resilience in communities around the world through the $100 million Right Now Climate Fund. Since 2019, the year we created the fund, we've disbursed $67.4 million to finance 19 projects across 14 countries, contributing to the protection or restoration of over 49,000 hectares of land—an area roughly equivalent to the size of Prague, Czechia.

A thoughtful path forward

The challenge of biodiversity loss requires persistent, collaborative action. We don't have all the answers yet, but we're taking action where we can while learning, adapting, and working alongside others to find solutions as we go. That means working with suppliers and conservation organizations to forge a more sustainable future, and engaging with the communities where we operate. Later this year, we’re launching resources for our suppliers on the Amazon Sustainability Exchange to provide insights and guidance from our journey so far. By sharing and building on what works, we believe we can foster an environment in which both business and biodiversity thrive—for generations to come.

Learn more about protecting natural resources at Amazon.