Sustainability in the Cloud

Summary

In this episode of Community Chats, host Ali Hammer discusses sustainability with Luke Hargraves, an AWS solution architect and sustainability ambassador. Luke explains the three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social. Amazon's commitment to sustainability is highlighted through initiatives like the Climate Pledge, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2040, and large-scale investments in renewable energy. The conversation also showcases customer projects, such as Nestle's blockchain for coffee traceability and Qantas' use of machine learning to optimize flight paths, illustrating the practical applications of AWS technology in advancing sustainability goals.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future, with three pillars: economic, environmental, and social.
• 🌱 The concept of sustainability can be simplified by considering what we can't keep doing forever, as unsustainable practices are those that cannot be continued indefinitely.
• 📜 Amazon has committed to the Paris Pledge, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, but has further advanced this goal with the Climate Pledge, targeting carbon neutrality by 2040.
• 🚗 Amazon has purchased 100,000 electric vehicles for its delivery fleet, which is equivalent to the size of the entire US Postal Service's van fleet.
• ⚡ Amazon has become the world's largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy, with six gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.
• 🏢 The renewable energy purchased by Amazon can power entire cities like Adelaide and Canberra or 1.7 million American homes.
• 🌐 AWS (Amazon Web Services) is committed to being 100% powered by renewable energy by 2025, allowing customers with sustainability goals to leverage this shared responsibility.
• 🔗 Nestlé has implemented a project called 'Chain of Origin' using Amazon Managed Blockchain to trace coffee from its origin to the consumer's cup.
• ✈️ Qantas, the Australian airline, is using Amazon's machine learning services to optimize flight paths, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
• 🌐 80 of the top 500 global companies are undertaking sustainable initiatives, many of which are leveraging AWS for their sustainability goals.
• 📈 AWS and Amazon's focus on sustainability extends to renewable energy and water management, reflecting their global responsibility as a large supply chain.

Q & A

What is the official definition of sustainability according to the transcript?

The official definition of sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.

What are the three pillars of sustainability mentioned in the transcript?

The three pillars of sustainability are economic, environmental, and social.

What does David Attenborough suggest about activities that can't be continued forever?

David Attenborough suggests that anything we can't keep doing forever is by definition unsustainable.

What is the Paris Pledge and how does it relate to Amazon's commitment?

The Paris Pledge is a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. Amazon, however, saw this as not ambitious enough and moved the goal to 2040 with what they call the Climate Pledge.

What is Amazon's Climate Pledge and its target year for carbon neutrality?

Amazon's Climate Pledge is an initiative to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, which is more ambitious than the Paris Pledge's 2050 target.

What has Amazon committed to in terms of electric vehicles for its delivery fleet?

Amazon has committed to buying 100,000 electric vehicles for its delivery fleet.

How much renewable energy has Amazon recently announced as being purchased, and what does this equate to in terms of power capacity?

Amazon has announced the purchase of six gigawatts of renewable energy, which is enough to power Adelaide and Canberra together or 1.7 million American homes.

What is the significance of Amazon's commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2025 for AWS customers with sustainability goals?

Customers building with AWS can leverage Amazon's commitment to hit their own renewable energy goals by 2025, as AWS will be 100% renewable by that year.

Can you provide an example of a customer using AWS for a sustainability initiative?

Nestlé has created a project called 'Chain of Origin' using Amazon Managed Blockchain to trace coffee back to its origin, which was developed in Byron Bay, Australia.

How is Qantas utilizing Amazon's services to contribute to sustainability?

Qantas is using Amazon's machine learning services to optimize flight paths, which saves fuel and reduces carbon emissions.

What is the host's plan for future episodes regarding customer sustainability initiatives on AWS?

The host plans to conduct 15 interviews with customers over the next two months to discuss their sustainability initiatives on AWS.