[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is investing $1 billion (approximately 1.2 trillion KRW) to preserve 30% of the Earth's land and ocean areas.
According to foreign media including The Washington Post, Bezos stated on the 20th (local time) through the 'Bezos Earth Fund' that "we will prioritize areas important for biodiversity and carbon preservation and emphasize the key roles of local communities and indigenous peoples."
The focus areas will include the Congo Basin in Africa, the tropical Andes, and the tropical Pacific. Actual investments are planned to take place this year. However, specific beneficiary organizations have not been disclosed.
This supports the '30X30' goal led by the UK, France, Costa Rica, and over 70 participating countries. The initiative aims to preserve at least 30% of land and ocean areas by 2030.
This fund is part of the 'Bezos Earth Fund' established last year by Bezos to address climate change.
The fund plans to support related activists, scientists, and organizations with $1 billion annually, increasing total investments to $10 billion by 2030.
Bezos and Amazon, which he founded, have long faced criticism from environmental activists.
Environmental activists have pointed out the carbon footprint generated during Amazon's fast delivery process and criticized Amazon Web Services (AWS) for consuming enormous amounts of electricity to operate data centers. Especially last year, with the increase in online shopping due to COVID-19, concerns about Amazon's carbon emissions also arose.
On this day, Bezos said, "I hope others will also commit to protecting and preserving nature and helping to respond to climate change," adding, "Big tasks like this require many allies."
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