Sustainability LIVE Chicago Q+A: Chris Dawes, AWS

Hello Chris, could you introduce yourself and your role?

I'm responsible for sustainability, go-to-market, working with our customers and partners. So this is how those customers and partners can use the AWS tools and platforms and mechanisms to deliver sustainability outcomes.

By incorporating these platforms, what is AWS doing to drive sustainability?

Well, the first thing to say is that AWS is actually part of Amazon, famously, and Amazon has a very extensive programme of sustainability, addressing subjects like fulfilment centres, logistics, energy and renewable energy use – so many things that are driven by Amazon AWS.

We have five main areas that we talk about with regards to sustainability, the most obvious one being using it in the most sustainable way. Next would be sustainable operations. So for example, it might be making sure you run buildings properly. We have a number of partners who we work with on that. Sustainable supply chains are very important and Amazon is extensively involved in supply chains. Then climate and biodiversity and of course ESG reporting, which is still an important consideration.

This is an unusual event in that it brings together three different disciplines: procurement, supply chain and sustainability. What do you think are the benefits of that?

Well, I love the format. I love bringing those disciplines together.

I think they are extremely complimentary because I see sustainability in everything. So sustainability is a central pillar of the show, but then supply chains are very important. And obviously it is critical to make sure that supply chains are efficient and sustainable and minimise the emissions that are driven through those supply chains.

Procurement is also super important because it’s about making sure that the right products are bought with the right considerations. So product carbon footprint is one of the key topics that we would consider. Overall, I'd like to see this kind of event happen more often.

Q – Finally, do you have a key takeaway from the event?

Yes. I would say that pretty much everyone I've spoken to recognises that the subject of sustainability is being talked about in various ways by different industries and governments are treating sustainability differently.

But the thing that pretty much everyone I've spoken to is interested in is seeing the business case for sustainability. Sustainability is really about efficiency and frugality. It's using the minimum resources to get the outcomes that we want. It's about minimising the amount of energy that gets used.

So I think the importance of the business case for sustainability is very clear with everyone I've spoken to.

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