In August 2018 Ethical Consumer searched the eBay site for an Environmental report. Some details were found.
EBay discussed how it it was helping to decrease environmetnal impacts by encouraging the reuse of goods.
The report contained a number of quantified targets including:
To have "100% renewable energy in our electricity supply by 2025 at eBay-controlled data centers and offces."
And to "avoid 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2020 through people selling their pre-owned electronics and apparel on eBay". It was noted that this was basically just a way of saying that it wanted to grow its business, but as this would be contributing a genuine environmental benefit, it was considered to be a genuine target.
It also stated that it had a goal of "Lend[ing] $1 million to entrepreneurs via Kiva by 2020", although this was considerd a social rather than an environmental target.
The company discussed its environmental impacts, stating that data centres constituted 67% of its greenhouse gas emissions, and that it was making attempts to address them through the use of renewable energy. It also discussed water. However, as there was no discussion of the transport of the goods that it sold, it was not considered to have a good understanding of its environmental impacts.
The data presented in any of the reports did not appear to be independently verified.
As it had two quantified targets but no verified data and lacked a full understanding of its environmental impacts, the company received Ethical Consumer's middle rating for environmental reporting.
Reference:
ebay website (21 August 2018)