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
UK DMO Shares Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) Specification
07 Oct 2025 - Member AccessArticle
Product Safety Community | Discussion on Online Marketplace Regulation | October 2025
03 Oct 2025 - Member AccessMeeting Note
Call with Welsh Government: DRS Reuse and Glass
01 Oct 2025 - Member AccessMeeting Note
BRC Planning for Nature Breakfast Briefing – September 2025: Summary & Takeaways
01 Oct 2025 - Member AccessBriefing
PRN Reform - Defra Workshop
30 Sep 2025 - Article
WRAP introduces the UK Packaging Pact
30 Sep 2025 - Member AccessBriefing
Plastic Packaging Tax: HMRC Update
30 Sep 2025 - Associate Insight
Decarbonising HVAC: Technologies for replacing fossil fuels in retail
30 Sep 2025
Upcoming Events
- EventWebinar
Net Zero 2025 Check-In: UK Retail’s Decarbonisation Progress
Wed 8 October14:00 - 15:00Livestorm - EventRoundtableReception
CEO Exchange Forum: Future-Fit Customer Experience
Thu 9 October15:00 - 18:00The Form Rooms - EventRoundtableReception
BRC Climate Action Week: Drinks Reception and Keynote Address
Thu 9 October18:00 - 20:00The Form Rooms - EventOnline - Community Call
Sustainable Seafood Group - Q4 2025
Wed 15 October10:00 - 11:30 - EventWebinar
GHG Protocol Land Sector & Removals Guidance
Wed 15 October14:00 - 15:00Livestorm - EventRoundtable
1-1 Strategic Review with Amber
Mon 20 - Wed 22 Oct09:00 - 17:00The Form Rooms, Covent Garden - EventExternal EventRoundtable
Breakfast Roundtable - AI First, Fashion Forward
Wed 22 October08:30 - 11:00The Form Rooms, Covent Garden - EventRoundtable
Fashion Sustainability Summit
Wed 5 November12:15 - 17:00The Form Rooms, Covent Garden - EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeIn PersonEvent
Sustainability Reporting Masterclass
Tue 11 November09:00 - 17:30The Form Rooms - Event
Reuse in Retail: Circular Economy Breakfast
Tue 18 November09:00 - 11:30The Form Rooms, Covent Garden
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.