Amazon accelerates AI deployment to enhance environmental performance in its global operations, focusing on energy and water optimization in buildings.
The company’s Flow Management System and BASE AI models conserve resources in fulfillment centers, data centers, and offices worldwide.
Amazon aims for 100% carbon-free energy by 2030 and has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
At Amazon, we’re innovating with AI to help us find new ways to decarbonize even faster, including inventing new solutions that continue to make our buildings more energy- and water-efficient.
Amazon is accelerating its use of AI to improve the environmental performance of its global operations, deploying in-house AI tools to optimize energy and water use in its buildings.
Scaling environmental tech: The company’s Flow Management System (FlowMS) and BASE (Building Automation System Efficiency) AI models help conserve resources across a range of sites worldwide, including fulfillment centers, data centers, and offices. By embedding AI into its facility operations, Amazon says it aims not only to shrink its own environmental footprint, but also to develop technologies that could have broader applications across the industry.
Going with the flow: FlowMS, launched in 2020, identifies and addresses leaks in building water systems using real-time data and predictive analytics. According to Amazon, the tool has already helped save millions of gallons of water annually across more than 1,000 buildings. Meanwhile, the BASE model is designed to reduce the energy consumption of refrigeration systems, a major source of electricity use, by predicting performance changes and automatically adjusting system parameters.
Sustainability targets: In addition to these AI-driven initiatives, Amazon is pursuing a wider strategy to power its operations with 100% carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2030. As detailed in the company’s climate solutions roadmap, Amazon is focusing on expanding renewable energy procurement, scaling up battery storage, and investing in grid modernization technologies to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions associated with its vast logistics and data infrastructure.
Carbon commitments: The move comes as Amazon continues to invest in decarbonization and environmental efficiency as part of its broader Climate Pledge, which commits the company to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. “At Amazon, we’re innovating with AI to help us find new ways to decarbonize even faster, including inventing new solutions that continue to make our buildings more energy- and water-efficient,” said Kara Hurst, Amazon’s Chief Sustainability Officer.
