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
Climate Action Roadmap
Sign up to the Climate Action Roadmap, 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
ArticleDRS | October Briefing
15 Oct 2026 - Member Access
ArticleProduct Safety Community Bulletin - October 2026
15 Oct 2026
ArticleDEFRA announce changes to the PRN system following industry advocacy
13 Oct 2026- Member Access
Meeting NoteEUDR Working Group | October 2026
12 Oct 2026 - Member Access
ArticleBRC Final Response to Call for Evidence - Toys Safety Regulation
06 Oct 2026 - Member Access
Policy positionRAM 2027 | BRC Position Paper
02 Oct 2026 - Member Access
ArticleDRS | Logistics Providers Announced
30 Sep 2026 - Member Access
ConsultationSmart Data | BRC Call for Evidence Response
30 Sep 2026 - Member Access
ArticleDEFRA Batteries Reform | Upcoming Consultation
28 Sep 2026
Upcoming Events
EventLeadership ProgrammeBRC Leadership Essentials [October Cohort]
Tue 16 Mar '27 - Tue 27 Apr '27Thrive LMS & Teams
EventLeadership ProgrammeBRC Retail Masters 2027
Mon 15 - Thu 18 MarThe Form Rooms, Covent Garden
EventLeadership ProgrammeBRC Leadership Essentials [January Cohort]
Tue 19 Jan '27 - Tue 2 Mar '27Thrive LMS & Teams
EventBRC Fashion Sustainability Summit 2026
Wed 18 November12:30 - 17:00The Form Rooms
EventEUDR Working Group | November 2026
Tue 3 November09:30 - 10:30Teams
EventClimate & Nature: Integrating Risk, Reporting and Strategy
Thu 15 October10:00 - 12:00Teams
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
Head of Sustainability and Supply Chain | BRC
Naomi leads on packaging and waste including pEPR, WEEE Regulations and DRS.

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