ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – Mr Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com and the fourth-richest person in the world, said he plans to give away the bulk of his fortune during his lifetime.

Mr Bezos will devote the money to fighting climate change and supporting people who can unify humanity in the face of deep social and political divisions, he told CNN, the first time the billionaire has committed to such a pledge.

Mr Bezos is worth US$123.9 billion (S$170 billion), a fortune that has declined by almost US$70 billion in 2022, but has surged in the past decade as his e-commerce giant soared past rivals.

Critics have chided Mr Bezos, 58, for not signing the Giving Pledge, a promise by many of the world’s richest people to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.

For years, he largely stayed on the philanthropy sidelines, instead focusing on Amazon and Blue Origin, his for-profit space-exploration company.

But in recent years, Mr Bezos has committed billions of dollars to charity and has increased the pace of his giving since stepping down as Amazon chief executive officer in 2021.

His ex-wife, Ms MacKenzie Scott, has sent more than US$12 billion to non-profits since the two split in 2019, mostly focusing on smaller charities in the United States that are often overlooked by larger donors.

Mr Bezos has set his attention on climate change with his US$10 billion Earth Fund and also announced a US$200 million gift to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

He just gave music legend Dolly Parton US$100 million to direct to any charities she chooses as part of the Courage and Civility award, announcing the prize alongside his partner, Ms Lauren Sanchez.

Mr Bezos is also said to be interested in acquiring the NFL’s Washington Commanders, possibly with music mogul Jay-Z as an investor. BLOOMBERG