Championing sustainability to protect your retail business, as rising customer awareness and regulatory scrutiny increase the need for environmental responsibility.
Championing sustainability is a critical task for the retail industry. As a responsible and sustainable business, your operations and supply chains are dependent on healthy environments and communities across the world. Customers awakening to the climate change and their appetite to make better purchasing decisions heightens retailers' reputational risk, and the growing policy and regulatory scrutiny over industry's environmental and carbon footprint exposes retailers to new and additional pressures.
Retailers are challenged to solve climate and sustainability related issues, but these are often complex problems that require collaborative approaches.
The CSR Community provides the platform for retailers to work together and lead the drive for positive sustainable change. We bring together retailers across the board to share insights and influence most relevant green policies for the industry, give you a horizon scan of the most pressing legislative and policy priorities, and facilitate engagement with UK Governments and regulators.
We've recently supported our members in the implementation of the Plastic Packaging Tax, built industry alignment on mandatory food waste reporting and unlocked pathways for retail decarbonisation by 2040 thanks to the Climate Action Roadmap.
Objectives
Helping members prepare for future packaging costs through EPR
Securing a workable DRS which appropriately compensates retailers
Helping members deliver their net zero strategy through our Climate Action Roadmap
Providing a positive response to ethical labour challenges in supply chains
Helping members develop your nature and biodiversity strategy
Working Groups
Within the Sustainability Community are the following Working Groups:
Climate Action Roadmap
Sign up to our industry commitment to net zero by 2040 and engage in our five pathways to decarbonise your footprint, improve energy efficiency, shift to zero carbon logistics and sustainable sourcing, as well as enable low-carbon lifestyles.
Circular Textiles and Clothing Working Group
Updates on forthcoming policy and regulatory changes in the UK affecting the fashion industry.
Ethical Labour Working Group
Updates on latest ethical labour developments in supply chain, including human rights due diligence and modern slavery.
Deposit Return Scheme Group
Insights and updates on the introduction of Deposits Return Schemes across the UK, including support and advice on the implementation of a DRS in Scotland from August 2023.
Packaging Working Group
Includes industry work on the ongoing packaging reform in the UK (packaging EPR) and wider discussion on sustainable packaging, recycled content, plastic packaging tax, and non-food packaging applications.
Forest Risk Commodity Working Group
Focus on the sustainable sourcing of forest risk commodities and updates on upcoming deforestation regulations.
WEEE and Batteries Working Group
Focus on recycling of electric and electronic products, as well as batteries updates, work of the forthcoming WEEE Regulations review, retail takebacks, DTS.
Members
The following key roles and the teams that report into them:
CSR & Sustainability and ESG Experts Directors
Ethical Trade Managers
Policy and Public Affairs Executives
Responsible Sourcing specialists
Environment Managers
Associate Members
Latest Content
- FeaturedMember Support and Guidance
Circular Economy Policy Timeline: 2025-2050
27 Feb 2025 - FeaturedArticle
3 Reasons to Keep Nature on the Agenda
03 Jun 2025 - Member AccessBriefing
Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR): Dual-use packaging update
28 Aug 2025 - Member AccessNews
BRC Autumn Budget 2025 submission
28 Aug 2025 - Member AccessBriefing
Packaging Wrap-Up #2 - August 2025
26 Aug 2025 - Associate Insight
IMHX - The UK’ Largest Logistics Event Makes Its Anticipated Return
26 Aug 2025 - Member AccessConsultation
Consultation on Deposit Return Scheme: Reuse in Wales
22 Aug 2025 - Member AccessConsultation
Packaging EPR Impact Survey
20 Aug 2025 - Member AccessBriefing
Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO): August 2025 Briefing
19 Aug 2025 - Member AccessBriefing
Circular Economy Strategy: Summary of BRC engagement
15 Aug 2025
Upcoming Events
- Event
EUDR Sprint Group - September
Wed 3 September14:00 - 15:00 - EventRoundtable
Net Zero Retailer Logistics ThinkTank #1
Tue 9 September10:00 - 11:30Teams - EventWebinar
Ask The Expert: HVAC Decarbonisation with Mitsubishi Electric
Mon 15 - Fri 19 Sep09:00 - 17:00Outlook Booking - EventCommunity Meeting
Textiles Retailer Net Zero Group Q3 2025
Thu 18 September14:00 - 15:00Teams - EventMasterclassLearning Programme
How to Integrate Nature into your Sustainability Strategy
Tue 23 September09:00 - 17:00The Form Rooms - EventRoundtable
Planning for Nature: Breakfast Briefing
Wed 24 September09:00 - 11:30The Form Rooms, Covent Garden - EventWebinar
Sustainable Logistics is a Strategic Necessity
Mon 6 October11:00 - 12:00Livestorm - EventWebinar
Sustainable Sourcing in Retail: Member Insights & Innovations
Mon 6 October14:00 - 15:00Livestorm - EventMasterclassLearning Programme
Sustainability Masterclass
Tue 7 October09:30 - 16:30The Form Rooms - Event
Smarter Retail HVAC Retrofits: How to Cut Costs, Carbon, and Complexity
Tue 7 October11:00 - 12:00Livestorm
What our members say
The BRC allows a fiercely competitive sector to come together on some of the most important issues of the day. When it focuses on the long term topics that require well considered political and legal change it is at its most effective.
The BRC is invaluable in bringing retailers together to discuss crucial topics and then lobby the retailer message to government on our behalf. The BRC’s media presence and focus on promoting the interests of retailers allows us to align on issues impacting the sector.
A very effective business network that provides insight and coordinates industry opinion.
The BRC continues to do an excellent job of supporting the retail sector and its individual members on a wide variety of issues.
Adds a lot to our business, great sounding board, very well connected and able to influence.
A positive and considered voice for our industry, useful learning/ business-focused communities that help our team in their roles, and data insights that help us benchmark our performance.
Community Managers
Naomi Brandon-Bravo
Sustainability Policy Adviser | BRC
Naomi leads on packaging and waste including pEPR, WEEE Regulations and DRS.
Sophie De Salis
Sustainability Policy Adviser | BRC
Sophie leads on ethical labour, responsible sourcing of commodities, and circular textiles.
Community Manager
Tracey Banks
Climate Action Programme Manager | BRC
Tracey leads our work under the Climate Action Roadmap, coordinates signatories’ work under each pathway and engagement with the key partners.
Join a community
Join our member communities and get more advice and support on issues that matter to you.