The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has published UK Retail 2025 Net Zero Stocktake.
ABOUT THE REPORT
Five years on from the launch of the BRC's Climate Action Roadmap, UK Retail 2025 Net Zero Stocktake provides a comprehensive update on UK retailer progress and challenges as we reach the first of the Roadmap's milestones in 2025, and establishes priorities and next steps on the longer road to the industry's 2040 net zero ambition.
The report summarises the results of two review activities undertaken by the BRC:
- An updated industry emissions footprinting methodology, utilising real-world data and improved coverage to provide a more accurate representation of industry emissions across sub-sectors and scopes
- A survey of BRC members on their progress against the 2025 Roadmap milestones, to provide a snapshot of where the most progress has been made and the biggest challenges blocking further action
The headline is clear: With over 93% of retail emissions falling outside of direct control yet with the least amount of progress seen on Scope 3, UK retailers must step up radical collaboration across the value chain and beyond — with suppliers, customers, and policy-makers — to reduce emissions embedded in supply chains and consumer homes.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
The BRC will continue to support retailers to deliver the transformative change needed by convening cross-industry stakeholders, continuing to track annual progress, and shaping policy.
The report outlines a multi-stakeholder action plan to structure the radical collaboration required, with defined accountability across retailers, suppliers, industry partners, and government.
This will be developed further in 2026 through the BRC Climate Action Roadmap programme.
To get involved in the BRC Climate Action Roadmap:
- As a Retail Member: To sign up to the Climate Action mailing list, join our sub-sector forums and focus groups, or share your progress and challenges, contact Tracey.Banks@brc.org.uk.
- As an Associate Member: Explore opportunities for Sustainability Community engagement here
- Non-members: Make use of Roadmap resources here, and explore membership here
- Industry partners: Find out about opportunities for Roadmap partnerships here
