- Retailers to tackle climate change ahead of Government target
- This commitment is unique in that it includes the supply chain
- The roadmap is supported by twenty retailers
Climate change remains one of the biggest threats to our planet and society. Despite currently facing the ongoing challenges of coronavirus head on, retailers are making a bold pledge to fight climate change and build a better world for everyone.
Twenty major retailers have today signed a declaration to develop a roadmap to tackle the causes of climate change. The declaration notes that retailers “are coming together through the BRC to develop a ground-breaking decarbonisation plan that will guide the industry on the steps necessary to accelerate progress to a Net Zero UK, ahead of the Government’s 2050 target.”
Led by the BRC, the declaration commissions the creation of a roadmap that will provide retailers with the guidance and support necessary to decarbonise. Not only are they committed to cutting carbon emissions associated with their shops, distribution centres and logistics, but also, and most importantly, their supply chains and the products people are buying every day.
The research will be conducted by environmental experts and published in the form of a roadmap, along with a wider industry commitment, in the run up to COP26. The work will build upon the Better Retail Better World campaign whereby retailers reduced their carbon emissions from operations by over one third since 2005.
Peter Andrews, Head of Sustainability Policy at the British Retail Consortium, said:
“Climate change remains one of the biggest threats to the planet. As we start to recover from the coronavirus pandemic there is no better opportunity to build a greener more sustainable world. The expectations of society are shifting rapidly. Greater action from businesses is expected. Retail will lead the way.
“Retailers, suppliers and customers all have their part to play in reducing their carbon emissions. This roadmap will be the first step towards a better, more sustainable future. It will then be up to wider industry and Government to implement the recommendations it set out.”
Notes:
- BRC Climate Statement found here: https://brc.org.uk/media/675091/brc-climate-roadmap-statement.pdf
- Signatories: ALDI; Amazon; Booksellers Association of the United Kingdom & Ireland Ltd; Boots UK; Central England Co-operative; Co-op; Costa Coffee; Dixons Carphone; Greggs plc; IKEA UK & Ireland; Kingfisher plc; Lidl GB; M&S; Missguided; Musgrave; Next; Ocado Retail Limited; TJX UK; WH Smith PLC; Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC