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.
For examples of recent policy wins on behalf of members from this and other communities, check out our Member Value Statement 2026.
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
FeaturedBriefingRetail Sustainability Horizon Scan: Regulation, Reporting and Policy Trends – 2026 & Beyond
03 Feb 2026- Member Access
ArticleProduct Safety Community Bulletin - June 2026
15 Jun 2026 - Member Access
ArticleProduct Safety Insights Forum
15 Jun 2026 - Member Access
BriefingDRS Exemptions and Grants Announcement
11 Jun 2026 - Member Access
Article1st Draft Response to OPSS Consultations - Reply by 17 June
11 Jun 2026 - Member Access
Meeting NoteEUDR Working Group | June 2026: Meeting note
08 Jun 2026
ArticleCircular Economy - June Update
04 Jun 2026- Member Access
BriefingDRS Return Handling Fee Announced
02 Jun 2026 - Member Access
ArticleBRC Draft Response to FFR Consultation - version 2
02 Jun 2026 - Member Access
ConsultationCertification under Plastic Packaging Tax Consultation
01 Jun 2026
Upcoming Events
EventLeadership ProgrammeBRC Leaders Summer School 2026
Mon 1 Jun - Fri 31 JulThe Form Rooms, London
EventNavigating the LSRS: Workshop on Current Challenges and Practical Solutions
Wed 17 June11:00 - 12:00MS Teams
EventConferenceBRC Climate Action Summit
Wed 24 June09:30 - 17:00The Form Rooms, Covent Garden
EventEUDR Working Group | July 2026
Wed 1 July10:00 - 11:00MS Teams
EventWebinarFrom Green Claims Risk to Retail Readiness: Preparing for the ECGT Directive
Thu 2 July11:00 - 12:00Livestorm
EventExternal EventIn PersonDecarbonise Countdown – Breaking Limits, Building Futures
Tue 7 July08:00 - 15:30Keele University, Salvin Room (located inside Keele Hall), ST5 5BG, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, UK
EventBRC Meeting with Defra on PFAs
Thu 16 July10:00 - 11:00Teams
EventExternal EventConferenceLondon Packaging Week
Wed 16 - Thu 17 Sep10:00 - 16:00Excel London
What our members say


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.

Lou Sherry
Policy Executive - Sustainability | BRC
Lou leads on environmental and ethical sourcing policy and the BRC's Plan for Nature programme.
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
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