Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - Sustainability innovation in AWS Global Infrastructure (SUS101)

Summary

Abhishek Sharma, a senior principal at AWS and a founding member of the energy, water, and sustainability team, discussed AWS's commitment to sustainability and its global infrastructure.
AWS aims to achieve net-zero carbon by 2040 and become water positive by 2030, with efforts also focused on the circular economy.
AWS's infrastructure includes 102 availability zones across 32 regions, with plans for expansion.
Sustainability is integrated into the design, operation, and innovation of AWS infrastructure, with a focus on efficiency and custom hardware like AWS Graviton and AWS Trainium chips.
AWS is the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy, aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2025, and has reached 90% as of 2022.
AWS has supported renewable energy projects with significant economic benefits to communities and is working on reducing emissions from backup generators and supply chain operations.
AWS is embracing circular economy principles for its hardware and has implemented water-saving measures, aiming to be water positive by 2030.

AWS's commitment to sustainability is not only a corporate responsibility but also a strategic business initiative that can lead to operational efficiencies and cost savings for AWS and its customers.
The development of custom hardware like AWS Graviton and AWS Trainium chips demonstrates AWS's ability to innovate in ways that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while improving performance.
AWS's scale as the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy highlights the potential impact large corporations can have on driving the renewable energy market and influencing energy policy.
The transition to using renewable fuels for backup generators and engaging with suppliers to reduce carbon emissions indicates AWS's holistic approach to addressing all sources of emissions, including Scope 3 emissions.
AWS's efforts to create a circular economy for its hardware and to become water positive by 2030 show a commitment to resource efficiency and environmental stewardship that extends beyond carbon reduction.
The initiatives AWS is undertaking can serve as a model for other businesses looking to improve their sustainability practices and reduce their environmental impact.