More join The Climate Pledge

US EV start-up Rivian, Uber, rideshare company Cabify, airline JetBlue and alternative fuel supersonic air travel company Boom Supersonic have signed The Climate Pledge.

That means 18 companies have now joined a commitment co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement by 2040 – 10 years earlier than the 2050 agreement goal.

New signatories are implementing real, science-based, high-impact changes to their businesses, including deploying renewable energy, investing in sustainable buildings, and mobilising supply chains to reach net-zero carbon by 2040.

Amazon and Global Optimisation announced the new signings during Web Summit 2020 this month.

The Climate Pledge signatories agree to regularly measure and report greenhouse gas emissions, implement decarbonisation strategies, and neutralise any remaining emissions.

“By signing The Climate Pledge, companies around the world are making a bold commitment to help protect our planet from the devastating impacts of climate change,” Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos says.  

“The transportation sector plays a critical role in accelerating our carbon reduction goals.”

Rivian is launching a range of adventure-oriented EVs, as well as e-delivery vans specifically for Amazon last-mile applications.

Customer deliveries of its R1T ute and R1S SUV are due to start in June 2021.

Boom is redefining commercial flight by bringing back supersonic travel, the company announcing this year that testing for its XB-1 demonstrator will be carbon neutral, through the use of sustainable aviation fuels and high-quality, vetted carbon offsetting.

Cabify is the first urban mobility app in Europe and Latin America to be carbon neutral by offsetting 100% of all the carbon emissions it generates.

It aims to electrify its transportation fleet in Spain and Latin America by 2025 and 2030 respectively.

JetBlue is the first airline to join The Climate Pledge and is adopting sustainable aviation fuel.

Uber has committed to become a fully zero-emission platform by 2040, with 100% of rides taking place in zero-emission vehicles, on public transit, or with micromobility options such as bikes and scooters.

Its Uber Green will be expanded to make it easier for riders to choose to travel in hybrids or EVs.

Uber is also dedicating US$800 million to help drivers transition to EVs by 2025.