On a day when millions of people worldwide walked out of schools, universities, homes and businesses to demand urgent action on the climate crisis, the world’s biggest retailer has issued a clarion call for the business community.

Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos’ pledge to make his etail empire carbon neutral by 2040 – a decade ahead of the goals agreed in the 2016 Paris climate accord – is a big statement of intent.

As some governments vacillate or even roll back regulations on climate protection, businesses internationally are increasingly taking the lead.