American Express announced today new initiatives to support low-carbon communities, including the expansion of its Carbon Footprint Tool for select Corporate clients and a digital pilot to help U.S. Consumer and Small Business Card Members understand their estimated carbon footprint. During Earth Month, the company will also bring back “Shop with Purpose” Amex Offers for eligible Card Members and continue to offer Green2Gether volunteer opportunities for employees.
American Express has also submitted near-term and long-term emission reduction targets to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for validation by the end of the year as part of its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035. [1]
“This Earth Month, we’re introducing new digital solutions that enable our U.S. Consumer and Small Business Card Members as well as select Corporate clients to better understand their estimated carbon footprints and work towards a low-carbon future,” said Madge Thomas, Head of Corporate Sustainability and President of the American Express Foundation. “These initiatives build upon our commitment to advance climate solutions for our colleagues, customers, and communities.”
Carbon Offerings Expansion for Corporate Clients
American Express’ Carbon Footprint Tool now tracks estimated carbon emissions associated with spending on air travel, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, food and beverage, and retail for a select group of Corporate clients. The Carbon Footprint Tool applies conversion factors and standards from various governmental and private organizations to the American Express Corporate Product Program expenditures of a company. The Tool is accessible through Commercial Insights, a suite of tools made available to American Express’s greatest Corporate customers.[2]
The Carbon Footprint Tool joins the Corporate Carbon Offset Referral Suite, which provides a list of carbon offset providers curated by American Express for U.S. Corporate clients. Participating companies may choose to work with these providers to purchase carbon offsets through investments in large-scale carbon initiatives, thereby enabling them to manage their anticipated carbon footprint.
An Innovative Pilot Program for Card Members
American Express has launched a pilot digital suite with the following resources to assist eligible U.S. Consumers and Small Business Card Members in understanding their environmental impact and contributing to carbon reduction efforts.
- Amex Estimated Carbon Emissions Tracker: Developed in collaboration with the CoolClimate Network at the University of California, Berkeley, this application estimates carbon emissions associated with purchases made on eligible American Express Cards. [3]
- Contribution Services for Carbon Removal Projects: Eligible U.S. Card Members can set up monthly contributions ranging from $5 to $100 [4] through program partner Cloverly. With the assistance of our program partner Carbon Direct, these contributions are used to support a portfolio of carbon removal initiatives that also benefit local communities.
- Carbon Reduction Insights: Carbon Direct provides Card Members with tips and advice for informational purposes on how to reduce the carbon impact of their daily activities.
Shop with Intention Amex Provides
American Express will provide a selection of “Shop with Purpose” Amex Offers to eligible U.S. Consumer and Small Business Card Members during Earth Month for the second consecutive year. These Offers reward eligible purchases made from Certified B CorporationsTM, such as Stumptown Coffee Roasters and Hive Brands, and Climate Neutral Certified companies, such as Avocado Mattress and Parachute.
Activating Coworkers for Earth Month
This month, American Express employees can volunteer and participate in colleague-led sustainability initiatives as part of the company’s Green2Gether program. Volunteering with nonprofit partners, waste and energy reduction efforts, and healthful food initiatives are among the activities. Last month, employees from our Phoenix office volunteered alongside non-profit partners to plant 45 trees at the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area to increase tree canopy and help their city build climate-related event resilience.