As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of climate change, companies are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and become more environmentally responsible. According to recent surveys, sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration for consumers when making a purchase.

In a survey by IBM in 2022, 78% of consumers said that they are more likely to buy from companies that are environmentally responsible.
Another survey by Nielsen found that 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for products that are sustainably produced.
A study by the Boston Consulting Group showed that nearly half of consumers are willing to switch to a different brand if the original brand is not environmentally friendly.
The same study found that consumers are more likely to buy from companies that have a positive impact on the environment and that are transparent about their sustainability practices.

These statistics highlight the growing importance of sustainability and the role that companies can play in addressing environmental issues and promoting clean & green practices. In an effort to be greener, Amazon launched the Climate Pledge Friendly Badge Program in September, 2020 to help its customers identify and support products that are made sustainably.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly Badge Program, its certification requirements, the core benefits and beyond. It’s a great initiative by Amazon to drive demand for eco-friendly products and encourage companies to adopt more environmentally safe practices.

What is the Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly Badge Program?

The Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly Badge Program is an initiative by Amazon aimed at helping customers discover and purchase products that have a lower environmental impact. This program is part of Amazon’s commitment to The Climate Pledge, an ambitious goal to be net-zero carbon by 2040. The Climate Pledge Friendly Badge recognizes and certifies products that have a lower carbon footprint than similar products in their category. The certification is based on rigorous scientific standards, including life cycle assessment, which measures the carbon footprint of a product from the extraction of raw materials to its disposal. The badge is designed to help customers easily identify eco-friendly products and encourage manufacturers to adopt more sustainable practices.

Qualifying for Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly Badge

To qualify for the Climate Badge Friendly Badge, your products must meet the following criteria:

Lower carbon footprint: Your products must have a lower carbon footprint and your organisation must be fully committed to reducing emissions. You can considerably reduce your emissions by switching to renewable energy sources and adopting fuel-efficient means to run your entire operations.
Life cycle assessment: Your products must undergo a life cycle assessment to measure its carbon footprint. This essentially means that your products must not produce additional greenhouse emissions during their entire life-cycle starting from production, to shipping, and their disposal.
Sustainable materials: Your products must be made from sustainable materials, such as recycled or biodegradable materials. To ensure your products are environment friendly, you must engage with carbon neutral suppliers who primarily use recycled and sustainable materials.
Energy efficiency: Your products must be energy-efficient and your organisation must implement sustainable practices like using eco-friendly packaging materials and utilising renewable energy sources for manufacturing and operations wherever possible.

Key benefits of the Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly Badge

The Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly Badge offers several benefits for customers, brands, and the environment. Let’s take a deeper look at these benefits:

Improved Product Visibility: Products that have earned the Climate Pledge Friendly Badge are easily identifiable for customers who are interested in making more sustainable purchasing decisions. This allows brands to showcase their environmentally-friendly products to a wider audience and generate increased visibility for their brand.
Increased Trust in Sustainability Claims: With the Climate Pledge Friendly Badge, customers can be confident that the products they are purchasing meet Amazon’s rigorous standards for reducing their carbon footprint. This helps build trust in sustainability claims made by brands and encourages more sustainable purchasing decisions.
Encourages Brands to Take Action: The Climate Pledge Friendly Badge program encourages brands to take action towards reducing their environmental impact by providing a clear set of criteria that must be met in order to earn the badge. This helps drive innovation and encourages brands to think creatively about how they can reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability.
Improved Awareness of Sustainability: By making it easier for customers to identify and purchase products with a lower environmental impact, the Climate Pledge Friendly Badge program helps raise awareness about the importance of sustainability and encourages more sustainable purchasing decisions.
Positive Impact on the Environment: By reducing the carbon footprint of products, the Climate Pledge Friendly Badge program has a positive impact on the environment. This helps mitigate the effects of climate change and promotes a more sustainable future for all.

A list of third-party sustainability certifications

The Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly certification process is rigorous and based on scientific standards, and certified products receive a special badge on their product pages, making them easier to find and identify. Here are brief descriptions of some of the certifications mentioned:

Associazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica (AIAB): It sets standards for organic farming and food production, and certifies products that meet these standards as “biologici” or “organic.”
A.I.S.E.: It is a trade association that represents the interests of the cleaning products industry.
BIFMA: It sets standards for the design, testing, and safety of office furniture.
Bioland certified products: It certifies products as organic. The organisation sets standards for organic farming and food production, and certifies products that meet these standards as “Bioland.”
Blue Angel Logo: It is one of the oldest and most well-known environmental labels in the world. The Blue Angel logo is awarded to products that meet specific environmental and health criteria, such as low emissions, low energy consumption, and the use of recyclable materials.
Bluesign: A certification system that ensures environmentally responsible production in the textile and clothing industry.
Carbon Free Certified: A certification that recognizes products and services that are carbon neutral, meaning they do not emit any carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Carbon Neutral Product by Natural Capital Partners: A certification that ensures that a product’s carbon footprint has been calculated and offset through investments in renewable energy or carbon reduction projects.
Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services: A certification that verifies that a product has been made carbon neutral through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the offsetting of remaining emissions.
Certified Animal Welfare Approved: A certification that recognizes farms and ranches for high animal welfare standards and sustainable agricultural practices.
Climate Neutral by Climate Partner: A certification that recognizes products and companies that have achieved climate neutral status by reducing their carbon emissions and offsetting any remaining emissions.
Amazon’s Compact by Design: A certification that recognizes products that have been designed to reduce waste and packaging.
Cradle to Cradle Certified: A certification that recognizes products that have been designed to be reused, recycled, or biodegraded at the end of their life.
ECOLOGO: A certification that recognizes products that meet high environmental standards for sustainability, health, and safety.
ENERGY STAR: An international certification that recognizes energy-efficient products, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving energy.
EPEAT: A certification that recognizes electronics that meet high environmental standards for sustainability and recyclability.
EWG Verified: A certification that recognizes products that meet rigorous standards for health and environmental sustainability.
Fair Trade Certified: A certification that recognizes products made by workers who are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions.
Fair Trade International: A certification that recognizes products made in accordance with fair trade principles, including fair wages and safe working conditions.
Fair for Life: A certification that recognizes products made by workers who are treated fairly and work in safe conditions, regardless of their location.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): A certification that recognizes products made from responsibly managed forests, protecting wildlife and supporting forest-dependent communities.
Global Organic Textile Certified: A certification that recognizes textiles made with organic fibers, ensuring responsible production practices and minimising harm to the environment.
Global Recycled Standard: A certification that recognizes products made with recycled materials, reducing waste and protecting the environment.
Green Seal: A certification that recognizes products that meet high standards for environmental sustainability and human health.
Higg Index Materials: A certification that recognizes products made with sustainable materials, reducing harm to the environment and promoting sustainability.
Made in Green by Oeko-Tex: A certification that recognizes textiles made in environmentally responsible conditions, ensuring safe and sustainable production practices.
MAID SAFE: A certification that recognizes products made with safe and sustainable materials, protecting the environment and human health.
Natrue: A certification that recognizes natural and organic cosmetic and personal care products, ensuring safe and sustainable production practices.
Organic Content Standard 100: A certification that recognizes products made with 100% organic fibers, ensuring safe and sustainable production practices.
Rainforest Alliance: A certification that recognizes products made from responsibly managed forests, protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities.
Organic Content Standard Blended: A certification that recognizes products made with a blend of organic and conventional
Recycled Claim Standard 100: This certification program verifies that a product contains a minimum percentage of recycled materials, as defined by the Recycled Claim Standard.
Recycled Claim Standard Blended: This certification program is similar to the Recycled Claim Standard 100, but allows for a blended product that contains both recycled and non-recycled materials.
Regenerative Organic Certified: This certification program focuses on promoting regenerative agriculture practices that restore soil health, improve biodiversity, and promote the long-term health of the environment.
Responsible Wool Standard: This certification program verifies that wool production is environmentally responsible and socially responsible.

These third-party certifications help consumers make informed choices when shopping for products that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. In order to receive the Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly badge, a product must meet the criteria set forth by one of these certifications or Amazon’s own Compact by Design certification. For example, if a product is certified as “Carbon Neutral by Carbon Trust”, it means that the product has been evaluated and verified to have a neutral or zero carbon footprint throughout its lifecycle, from production to disposal.

What is Compact by Design?

Compact by Design is a certification program launched by Amazon that recognizes products that have been designed to reduce waste and save space. The program is aimed at helping customers make more sustainable purchasing decisions by identifying products that are more efficient in their use of packaging materials, and are therefore more environmentally-friendly.

Products that are certified as Compact by Design have been designed to optimize their size and shape, making them more efficient to transport and reducing the amount of waste generated during the shipping process. This results in a smaller carbon footprint and a reduction in the overall environmental impact of the product.

How do products qualify for Compact by Design?

Products qualify for Compact by Design certification based on their design and packaging efficiency. To be eligible for the certification, a product must meet the following criteria:

Optimised size and shape: The product must be designed to take up minimal space, both in its packaged form and when stored in a customer’s home.
Efficient packaging: The product’s packaging must be designed to minimise waste and use fewer materials, making it more environmentally-friendly.
Reduced carbon footprint: The product must have a reduced carbon footprint compared to similar products, due to its optimised size and efficient packaging.
Compliance with Amazon’s packaging requirements: The product’s packaging must comply with Amazon’s packaging requirements, including the use of 100% recyclable materials.

To become certified, products must undergo an assessment by Amazon’s sustainability team and must demonstrate that they meet the criteria outlined above. Once certified, products are eligible to display the Compact by Design logo, allowing customers to easily identify products that are more efficient in their use of packaging materials.

What are pre-owned certified products?

Pre-owned certified products are used or previously owned products that have been refurbished or reconditioned to meet specific standards of quality and performance. These products are then certified by the manufacturer or a third-party organisation, ensuring that they meet a certain level of quality and are in good working condition.

The certification process typically involves a thorough inspection and testing of the product to ensure that it meets the manufacturer’s standards and specifications. Any necessary repairs or upgrades are also performed during this process. Pre-owned certified products can be a cost-effective alternative to new products, as they offer many of the same features and benefits at a lower price.

Additionally, purchasing pre-owned certified products can also be a more environmentally-friendly option, as it helps to reduce waste and conserve resources. By offering a cost-effective alternative to new products and helping to reduce waste, pre-owned certified products can play an important role in promoting sustainability and a more circular economy.

Why should sellers participate in the Climate Pledge Friendly Program?

Here are a few reasons why you should participate in Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program as a seller:

Differentiate your products: By certifying your products as Climate Pledge Friendly, you can differentiate yourself from your competitors and showcase your commitment to sustainability. This can help you stand out in a crowded market and attract customers who are looking for more eco-friendly products.
Meet customer demand: Customers are increasingly looking for products that have a lower environmental impact, and participating in the Climate Pledge Friendly program allows you to meet that demand. By certifying your products, you can demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and help customers make more informed purchasing decisions.
Enhance your brand image: By participating in the Climate Pledge Friendly program, you can enhance your brand image and reputation as a responsible and environmentally-conscious company. This can help you attract and retain customers, build customer loyalty, and improve your overall brand image.
Comply with regulations: As regulations around sustainability and the environment continue to evolve, certifying your products as Climate Pledge Friendly can help you stay ahead of the curve and comply with new regulations.
Drive business growth: By participating in the Climate Pledge Friendly program, you can tap into the growing market of customers who are looking for more sustainable products. This can help you grow your business and reach new customers looking for products that align with their values. Being a climate pledge badge-holder is a smart business decision that also demonstrates your commitment to creating a more sustainable future.

How can you drive sales to your Climate Pledge Friendly Products?

Here are some ways to drive sales to your Climate Pledge Friendly products:

Utilise Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly Badge: Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly Badge is a powerful tool for increasing visibility and sales for your certified products. Be sure to display the badge on your product pages prominently, and use it in your product descriptions and advertising materials.
Highlight your commitment to sustainability: Consumers are increasingly looking for products that have a lower environmental impact, so be sure to highlight your commitment to sustainability in your marketing and advertising materials. Share your story about why you became a Climate Pledge Friendly seller, and the steps you are taking to reduce your environmental footprint.
Use social media: Use social media to promote your Climate Pledge Friendly products and engage with your customers. Share photos, videos, and customer reviews that showcase the benefits of your products, and encourage your followers to share their own experiences with your products.
Offer promotions: Consider offering promotions and discounts to customers who purchase your Climate Pledge Friendly products. This can encourage customers to try your products and incentivise repeat purchases.
Partner with environmental organisations: Partnering with environmental organisations can help you reach new audiences and build trust with customers who are looking for more sustainable products. Consider working with organisations that share your values and goals, and look for opportunities to collaborate on events, campaigns, and promotions.
Participate in Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly promotions: Amazon frequently runs promotions and events to showcase Climate Pledge Friendly products. Participating in these promotions can help increase visibility and sales for your products, so be sure to stay up-to-date on the latest promotions and events.

By utilising these strategies, you can drive sales to your Climate Pledge Friendly products and grow your business while also making a positive impact on the environment.

Partnering with an experienced Amazon account management agency can help businesses maximize the benefits of the Climate Pledge Friendly Program. Brands keen on becoming badge-holders can engage with Amazon consultants from eStore Factory to get exclusive support and guidance throughout the Climate Pledge Friendly Certification process, including help with the submission of products for certification, optimisation of product pages, and management of Amazon sponsored products. By utilizing A+ Content you can showcase the benefits of the certified products and differentiate them fr3om non-certified products. The core intent behind Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly initiative is to drive a shift towards more ‘clean & green’ products, mitigate the effects of climate change, and promote a more sustainable future for all.

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