Amazon Carbon Credits Simplify Procurement Complexity

Amazon has launched its carbon credit service in the UK, marking the first international expansion of the programme since its US debut in 2025.

According to the company, the service aims to make high-quality carbon neutralisation and inset credits accessible and transparent for organisations committed to climate progress. The expansion addresses procurement challenges that have historically made the voluntary carbon market difficult to navigate.

Amazon is targeting its net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2040. The service provides qualified UK companies, including Amazon suppliers, enterprise customers and Climate Pledge signatories, with access to rigorously vetted credits.

The platform simplifies procurement by reducing sourcing complexities and delivering the transparency needed for carbon-neutralisation investments. This streamlined approach removes traditional barriers that have prevented smaller organisations from participating in high-quality carbon credit markets.

Navigating procurement challenges

Procurement teams face substantial obstacles when sourcing carbon credits. According to Amazon, only around 5% of neutralisation credits in the voluntary carbon market meet the company's quality standards.

Most organisations lack the expertise required to identify high-quality carbon credits. The voluntary carbon market presents challenges around price volatility, supply availability and administrative burdens that complicate procurement decisions.

Traditional procurement processes for carbon credits often require dedicated resources and specialist knowledge that many organisations cannot justify allocating. This creates a significant barrier to entry for companies seeking to incorporate carbon credits into their sustainability strategies.

Amazon's service applies the same science-based approach the company uses for its own carbon neutralisation initiatives. The platform provides detailed information on methodologies, climate impact and third-party verification for each credit.

Sustainability, procurement and finance teams can access this information to make more informed investment decisions. The service aims to reduce complexity in contracting processes while helping organisations manage market volatility.

Enabling supply chain decarbonisation

Organisations are working to reduce value-chain emissions through renewable energy transitions, energy efficiency improvements and vehicle fleet electrification. Scope 3 emissions remain particularly difficult to address through direct operational changes.

Carbon credits provide a mechanism for companies to tackle hard-to-abate emissions while supporting projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gases. According to Amazon, UK companies face ambitious 2030 and 2040 targets where carbon credits can complement direct decarbonisation investments.

"As the voluntary carbon market transitions to the high-integrity VCM we all deserve, small and midsized buyers are getting left behind," says Jamey Mulligan, Head of Carbon Neutralisation Science & Strategy at Amazon.

Jamey notes that new high-quality supply comes from greenfield projects requiring long-term offtake agreements to secure financing. Only the largest buyers can typically access these arrangements.

The procurement advantage that large corporations hold has created an uneven playing field in the carbon credit market. Smaller organisations often find themselves unable to compete for the highest-quality credits, despite having genuine sustainability commitments and targets to meet.

Accessing forward offtake agreements

Amazon's service allows qualified value chain partners and Climate Pledge signatories to secure forward offtakes behind the company's long-term agreements. The platform requires no minimum duration and virtually no minimum volume.

"All the hard work to originate and diligence these projects, arrange finance and negotiate the offtakes has been done," says Jamey.

The service provides access to nature-based carbon removal, rice methane abatement and direct air capture. According to Jamey, millions of companies have gained access to forward offtakes for high-quality credits.

BizClik Media is using the service as part of its wider sustainability strategy. "Amazon's carbon credit service gives us confidence that we are using high-quality carbon credits as part of our wider sustainability strategy," says Glen White, Chief Executive Officer at BizClik Media.

Portfolio spans multiple solutions

The service provides access to a diverse portfolio spanning multiple climate solution categories. Super pollutant abatement projects include refrigerant destruction and rice methane reduction.

Nature-based solutions include jurisdictional forest protection initiatives in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Ecosystem restoration projects in South Africa remove carbon from the atmosphere while supporting biodiversity and local communities.

Technological carbon removal solutions include direct air capture, which could become a critical component of long-term net-zero pathways. The platform also offers lower-carbon fuel inset credits supporting renewable diesel, biodiesel and maritime fuel production.

These solutions provide procurement, energy and sustainability teams with tools to support decarbonisation objectives and strengthen supply chain resilience.

Meeting integrity requirements

Amazon's service aligns with the UK Government's principles for voluntary carbon and nature market integrity. Eligibility requirements include net zero commitments covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

Companies must maintain regular GHG measurements and reporting. This approach could ensure that credits are used alongside emissions reduction efforts rather than as a substitute for operational decarbonisation.

The service emphasises transparency, with credits retired in public registries. Supporting documentation is available to help companies accurately report their climate actions.

For sustainability leaders, this could provide assurance that carbon investments contribute to credible climate strategies and support stakeholder expectations. The platform aims to strengthen long-term transition planning across operations and supply chains.