Amazon (Whole Foods)
AMZN:NASDAQ GS US0231351067
Key Information
HQ:
United States
Market Cap:
$1925.23bn
Primary Markets:
Europe & Russia, North America, MENA, Asia, LATAM, Oceania
Protein Diversification Engagement
Analysis Overview
Climate Strategy - Integration of Protein Diversification Climate Strategy - Governance and Influence Climate Strategy - Adoption of Just Transition Product Portfolio - Resource Allocation Consumer Education - Consistency of Marketing Strategies
Analysis Breakdown
Climate Strategy - Integration of Protein Diversification
DNF
Quantify Potential/Opportunity
DNF
TCFD-aligned scenario analysis
Amazon currently does not use climate-related scenario analysis but plans to within two years. Amazon subsidiary Whole Foods has recognised that climate change will affect the company's animal agricultural supply chain and that sustainable agricultural practices such as better livestock management and shorter supply chains are an opportunity for the company to reduce its GHG emissions, however, there is no evidence the subsidiary has conducted scenario analysis. Amazon's food businesses have not recognised protein diversification as a means to reduce its emissions.
No Evidence
Reporting of Scope 3 emissions from animal agriculture
Amazon does not provide a breakdown of emissions from animal agriculture.
No Evidence
1.5C aligned SBTi Scope 3 FLAG target
The company discloses a commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040, aligning with a 1.5°C trajectory. However, it does not have an SBTi-approved Scope 1, 2 or 3 target.
No Evidence
Quantifying the opportunity of protein diversification
The company provides no information relating to protein diversification in its climate disclosure.
No Evidence
Protein Diversification Strategy
DNF
Integrating protein diversification into climate transition plans
There is no evidence that the company is strategically integrating protein diversification into its climate transition plan.
No Evidence
Protein diversification target is timebound
The company does not have a protein diversification target.
No Evidence
Business coverage of protein diversification target
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Alignment of target with climate and health guidelines
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Measuring Progress
DNF
Disclosing progress against protein diversification target
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Annual reporting of progress of protein diversification target
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Climate Strategy - Governance and Influence
Low
Board Oversight
DNF
Board support for protein diversification
The company's Board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees the company's environmental policies, sustainability initiatives, and progress on The Climate Pledge. However, there is no evidence of the company's board supporting a protein diversification strategy, or the development of one in the future.
No Evidence
Climate expertise of board
The company discloses in its CDP climate report that it has board members with experience relating to sustainability. However, in the company's 2024 Proxy Statement there was no evidence was found that the board members have technical expertise in climate risk/ sustainability
No Evidence
Nutrition/health expertise of board
From the company's disclosure it is unclear whether any board members have technical expertise in nutrition and/or health.
No Evidence
Advocacy
Partial
Disclosing a list of direct lobbying actions
Amazon provides its US policy positions on federal minimum wage, climate change, energy and technology, DEI, LGBTQ+ and more. It is unclear whether the company lobbies governments in other geographies in which it operates.
Limited
Direct lobbying in line with climate and nutrition
The company discloses in its CDP Climate Change 2023 that its lobbying activity is aligned with a 1.5C scenario. However, there is no assessment of their alignment with health and nutrition guidelines.
Limited
Disclosing a list of indirect lobbying actions
The company discloses a full list of its affiliations with trade associations, coalitions, non-profits, and social welfare organisations to which it provides support.
Full
Indirect lobbying in line with climate and nutrition
Amazon does not disclose an assessment of its indirect lobbying activities to evaluate whether they are aligned with positive nutrition or climate outcomes
No Evidence
Climate Strategy - Adoption of Just Transition
DNF
Just Transition Commitments
DNF
Public commitment to Just Transition principles
Amazon has not committed to the principles of a Just Transition
No Evidence
Commitment to support workers
Amazon has pledged to upskill 100,000 employees by 2025 by offering prepaid education and technical training. From Amazon's disclosure, it is unclear if Amazon's upskilling covers the company's efforts to decarbonise animal agricultural linked workers.
No Evidence
Commitment to support stakeholders
Amazon's brand Whole Foods, states it supports Climate Smart Agriculture. The company discloses it is committed to encouraging suppliers to utilise climate-smart agriculture (such as organic and regenerative) and champion environmental stewardship. However, the company did not provide any examples of supporting its animal protein producers transition their practices.
No Evidence
Just Transition Strategy
DNF
Public Just Transition strategy
Amazon does not have a Just Transition strategy
No Evidence
Consulting social actors in Just Transition strategy development
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Just Transition KPI
DNF
Disclosing Just Transition KPIs
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Reporting against Just Transition KPIs annually
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Product Portfolio - Resource Allocation
DNF
Portfolio Diversification
Low
Dedicating resources to expanding alternative protein offering
Amazon is expanding its offering of plant-based proteins by launching external brand products such as Eat Meati and Grounded in Whole Foods and launching its own line of ready meals in its UK branch of Amazon Fresh. Only the company's efforts in Whole Foods cover its largest market the US.
Limited
Annual evidence of resource allocation
Amazon does not disclose quantitative data related to alternative protein sources
No Evidence
Improving Nutrition and Sustainability Attributes
DNF
Dedicating resources to improve the nutrition and sustainability of products
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Reformulating products to improve nutrition
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Reformulating products to improve sustainability
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Consumer Education - Consistency of Marketing Strategies
DNF
Commitment Across Geographies/Brands
DNF
Commitment to marketing alternative protein sources
The company focuses on enhancing customer experience by providing lower prices, convenient services, and a wider selection of sustainable products. However, there is no evidence that the company commits to developing and delivering marketing and merchandising strategies related to alternative protein sources.
No Evidence
Business coverage of marketing commitment
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Nutrition and Sustainabilty
DNF
Promoting the nutritional attributes of alternative protein sources
There is no evidence of the company actively promoting the nutritional attributes of its plant-based offering
No Evidence
Promoting the sustainability attributes of alternative protein sources
Amazon is promoting the sustainability attributes of its products through its regenerative agriculture product label in its subsidiary Whole Foods. Amazon has disclosed that this label currently covers more than 70 products and has an additional 200 products that mention regenerative. However, it is unclear from the company's disclosure the extent to which this label covers the company's alternative protein source products.
No Evidence
Consumer Research
DNF
Conducting consumer research on alternative protein sources
The company acknowledges the consumers' preference for sustainable products. However, there is no evidence that the company conducts consumer research relating to alternative protein sources.
No Evidence
Conducting consumer research on healthy diets
There is no evidence for this KPI.
No Evidence
Members-only Content
To register as a member of the FAIRR network, please fill out the sign up form or if you need additional information on the FAIRR network, please contact investoroutreach@fairr.org.
Workstream Information
Business Type:
Retailer
Company Feedback Given:
Yes
Last Updated:
8 July 2024
2024 Resources
Phase 2 | Investor Briefing Protein Diversification Phase 1 Progress Report Protein Diversification Engagement