Amazon has released a new report detailing updates to its global water conservation and replenishment initiatives. The report outlines the company's efforts to reduce its water footprint and invest in addressing water scarcity.
According to Amazon's latest sustainability update, the company is working to cut operational water use and fund replenishment in water-stressed basins worldwide. The report emphasizes lowering Amazon's water footprint through technology and process improvements, as well as investing in projects that return water to communities. It highlights innovation as a key factor, combining efficiency in facilities with partnerships that expand local supply or restore ecosystems. This approach frames water stewardship as part of a broader sustainability strategy spanning multiple regions and lines of business.
Amazon's sustainability disclosures include measurable targets and outcomes related to replenishment. The company states, "14B+ liters of water expected to be returned each year" to local communities through its water projects. Additionally, Amazon Web Services (AWS) metrics on water-use effectiveness are mentioned, along with progress toward achieving water-positive goals. These figures provide a quantitative basis for stewardship efforts and demonstrate the scale at which private investment can accelerate basin-level benefits while supporting business continuity in high-stress regions.
The global need for corporate action is underscored by reports from WHO/UNICEF indicating that 1 in 4 people—approximately 2.1 billion globally—still lack access to safely managed drinking water. Millions rely on unsafe surface sources, particularly in rapidly growing urban and rural areas, which amplifies health risks and economic costs. Near-site replenishment and efficiency gains are valuable complements to public infrastructure and policy responses.
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Seattle, Amazon is a diversified technology company involved in e-commerce, devices, media, logistics, advertising, and cloud computing through AWS. Its mission is to be Earth’s most customer-centric company. Amazon regularly publishes sustainability updates and invests in operational efficiencies and community projects related to energy, water, and nature-based solutions, positioning private-sector innovation as a complement to public efforts in essential services.