How Amazon’s cloud and AI investments in APEC contribute to US GDP growth – About Amazon

Report on Amazon’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals through Global Operations

Advancement of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The expansion of international operations directly facilitates the creation of high-paying, skilled jobs within the United States, contributing to full and productive employment.
• U.S.-based support teams, including engineering, R&D, legal, and finance, are integral to global functions, thereby promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
• Revenue from global activities is utilized to fund new American jobs, fostering economic diversification and productivity in alignment with SDG 8 targets.

Support for SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Reinvestment of capital from international operations into American innovation directly enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of domestic industrial sectors.
• These investments support the development of resilient infrastructure and promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization across the country.
• The operational model fosters domestic technology development and supports U.S. manufacturing, building a foundation for sustainable economic resilience.

Fostering a Virtuous Cycle for Sustainable Development (SDG 11 & SDG 17)

1. International operations create a demand for U.S.-based skilled labor, supporting the development of inclusive and sustainable communities through job creation (SDG 11).
2. The financial returns are reinvested into domestic infrastructure and technological innovation, strengthening the U.S. economy (SDG 9).
3. This reinvestment stimulates a positive feedback loop, increasing global demand for American products and services.
4. The cycle reinforces a sustainable economic partnership model, where global commerce drives domestic investment and technological advancement, supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 17).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article directly addresses this goal by highlighting the creation of “thousands of high-paying jobs” in the U.S. as a result of Amazon’s international operations. This focus on job creation and economic contribution supports the core principles of SDG 8.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • This goal is connected through multiple points in the text. The article mentions that global operations fund “new American jobs and infrastructure,” are “reinvested in American innovation,” and support “investments in U.S. manufacturing and technology.” These elements are central to building resilient infrastructure, fostering innovation, and promoting industrialization as outlined in SDG 9.

2. Specific SDG Targets

• Under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.” The article’s emphasis on creating “thousands of high-paying jobs” directly relates to the objective of achieving productive employment and decent work.
• Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • Target 9.2: “Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product…” The statement that Amazon’s operations support “investments in U.S. manufacturing” aligns with this target of promoting industrial sectors.
  • Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers…” This target is clearly identified through the mention of U.S.-based “engineering, R&D” teams and the fact that funds are “reinvested in American innovation” and “technology.”

3. Implied Indicators for Measurement

• For SDG 8, Target 8.5:
  • Number of jobs created: The article explicitly states the creation of “thousands of high-paying jobs.” This serves as a direct, albeit non-specific, indicator of progress towards achieving productive employment.
• For SDG 9, Target 9.5:
  • Investment in Research and Development (R&D): The phrase “reinvested in American innovation” implies a financial metric. This could be measured as R&D expenditure, which is a key indicator (Indicator 9.5.1) for this target.
  • Number of R&D personnel: The mention of “engineering, R&D… support teams” creating jobs implies an increase in the number of workers in research and development fields, which is another indicator (Indicator 9.5.2) for this target.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aboutamazon.com