Companies put a lot of adjectives in front of the word “commerce” (mobile, social, agentic, etc.) to show they are hip to the latest trends (and to signal they are prepared to monetize them). Now comes eBay with a plan to transition to “sustainable commerce,” although the term itself is certainly not new.
eBay said on Wednesday that its inaugural Climate Transition Plan “serves as a comprehensive roadmap detailing how the company will advance sustainable commerce, reduce emissions across its operations and value chain, and achieve its long-term climate commitments.” eBay’s Chief Sustainability Officer Renee Morin was quoted in Wednesday’s press release describing those commitments:
“At eBay, we believe the future of commerce and the future of our planet are deeply connected. Building on our recommerce legacy, our Climate Transition Plan showcases how we will achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 while supporting a low-carbon economy. It reflects eBay’s long-standing commitment to climate resiliency, creating enduring value for our customers and community.”
The eBay Climate Transition Plan quoted CEO Jamie Iannone:
“At eBay, our mission is grounded in creating economic opportunity for all while charting a clear path toward a more sustainable future. Our Climate Transition Plan carries that belief forward, emphasizing our commitment to lead with purpose and drive responsible growth.”
The plan also had this to say about sustainability and eBay’s constituents:
“As pioneers of recommerce, this plan represents a natural evolution of eBay’s mission. Our community of buyers, sellers, employees, and investors cares deeply about the planet and expects businesses to lead with integrity and purpose. By embedding transparency into our long-term vision for sustainability, we aim to ensure eBay remains a trusted destination for meaningful, purpose-driven commerce.”
The announcement and the plan are replete with references to eBay “recommerce” model, something it addressed when it wrote “By connecting sellers and buyers through the resale of pre-loved and refurbished goods, we’re also helping to reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower greenhouse gas emissions — all while driving inclusive economic grow.”
Parts of its plan outlined areas of direct interest to sellers, such as shipping and delivery – for example, it described the following two key achievements it had made:
- “Moving to Ground: Starting in 2023, eBay is working closely with the United States Postal Service to support the adoption of services that shift package transport from air to ground, significantly reducing aviation-related delivery emissions.”
- “eBay is expanding local delivery capabilities by making it easier for buyers to find local and fast-shipping items and by enhancing the local pickup experience. We’ve updated our platform’s search and filters to highlight local listings, provide drive-time estimates, and offer AI-optimized delivery estimates.”
eBay also explained how it was preparing for climate risks in a FAQs section embedded in its January 14th announcement:
“Through climate scenario analysis conducted in 2025, assessing physical risks (like extreme weather) and transition risks (such as shifting regulation or market dynamics). These insights inform our business strategy and long-term planning.”
The announcement links to eBay’s Climate Transition plan on this page.
