San Francisco: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss “climate, sustainability and preserving the natural world.”
Bezos, who was accompanied by his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez, posted a picture of the three of them having a discussion on his Twitter and Instagram accounts on Friday.
“Discussing climate, sustainability, and preserving the natural world with President @EmmanuelMacron today in Paris. #BezosEarthFund #ClimatePledge,” Bezos wrote in the caption of the picture.
The photo drew various reactions from his followers with some Twitter users urging Bezos to do something about recycling of the cartons used for packaging of items.
“Why does #Amazon not buy back the packing material from their customers so that they can reuse it? When I order 2nd time from Amazon Amazon should take back the packing of last order and reuse it. #ThinkAboutIt,” wrote a Twitter user from India.
The world’s richest man on February 17 announced a donation of $10 billion to fund scientists, activists and NGOs to help preserve and protect the Earth from climate change.
In an Instagram post, Bezos said he is launching an initiative called the “Bezos Earth Fund”.
“Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet. I want to work alongside others, both to amplify known ways and to explore new ways of fighting the devastating impact of climate change,” said Bezos who is worth $130 billion.
This is one of the biggest charitable pledges ever, after the $36 billion pledge by billionaire Warren Buffett in 2006 and $16.4 billion pledge by Helen Walton, the late wife of Walmart founder Sam Walton, in 2007.
“I’m committing $10 billion to start and will begin issuing grants this summer,” said Bezos.
According to Amazon, the company was the first signatory of the Climate Pledge, promising to groom the e-tailer to be net zero carbon by 2040 across its businesses, almost 10 years ahead of the Paris Accord’s 2050 goal.
