American Express reflected on its year-round commitment to sustainability as Earth Month 2024 drew to a close. The company highlighted its efforts to support communities, empower small businesses, and encourage environmentally conscious practices.

“American Express is hard at work to advance climate solutions – both in our own operations and for customers and communities – to support the transition to a low-carbon future,” said Madge Thomas, President of the American Express Foundation and Head of Corporate Sustainability. “While this is a year-round focus for us, Earth Month is a key moment to highlight our efforts through initiatives like our Green2Gether program, sustainability solutions and long-standing support for small businesses.“

Supporting Maui’s Recovery

American Express previously announced its Maui Small Business Recovery Grant Program in April 2024. Partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, the program pledged $500,000 in funding and business coaching to assist 100 Maui businesses impacted by the wildfires of August 2023.

Employee Engagement Through Green2Gether

American Express employees participated in a variety of Green2Gether volunteer events throughout the month. These company-wide initiatives included tree planting, park maintenance, and coastal cleanups in locations like New York City, Tokyo, and Toronto.

Earth Hour Participation

Demonstrating its commitment to collective action, American Express switched off non-critical lights in 47 of its office buildings worldwide during Earth Hour. This effort encompassed over six million square feet of global office space.

Giving Back with Goodwill

Employees in the New York City and New Jersey area volunteered their time with Goodwill, a non-profit organization focused on job training and sustainable practices. Their efforts resulted in the donation of 906 pounds of clothing, translating to a reduction of 1.33 metric tons of carbon emissions.

Related Article: American Express Commits $12.75M in Grants to Aid Small Businesses in Climate Resilience and Disaster Recovery

Green Building Certification Achieved

American Express’s Bengaluru, India, office received LEED v4 ID+C: Commercial Interiors certification (Platinum) in December 2023. This achievement signifies the company’s commitment to environmentally friendly building design and operations.