Climate Action

WHAT IS THE ROADMAP? 

The BRC Climate Action Roadmap is the retail industry's ambition to deliver net zero across its supply chains, direct operations, and products sold to consumers by 2040 - 10 years ahead of the UK Government's 2050 Net Zero target.

WHY DOES THE INDUSTRY NEED A ROADMAP?

The UK retail industry connects British consumers to millions of farmers and factories across the globe, providing the UK population with all of the food, clothes, furniture or entertainment we need. 

However, meeting this demand currently comes at a significant cost. Virtually all aspects of UK retail contribute greenhouse gas emissions...

• from the energy required to power store operations and delivery logistics...
• to the emissions produced down the supply chain from farms and factories...
• to the emissions caused by how customers use and dispose of their purchased products.

Retail products account for nearly a third of all household emissions, placing the industry among the highest contributors to emissions in the UK.

The climate emergency is one of the most pervasive and threatening challenges of our time, for both our society and the economy that serves it. We are already seeing the impact of climate change on the retail economy, with disrupted supply chains causing products to become scarce and prices to rise. 

The BRC Climate Action Roadmap is the retail industry's recognition that urgent action is needed, and that retailers are uniquely placed to work collaboratively with their supply chain partners, customers, government and other stakeholders to deliver transformative change. 

HOW IS THE INDUSTRY DELIVERING NET ZERO THROUGH THE ROADMAP?

The BRC Climate Action Roadmap provides the retail industry with guidance on the steps it can take to reach net zero across its direct operations and supply chains, in collaboration with suppliers, customers and government, by setting targets and directing action for decarbonisation across five pathways.

Through the BRC Climate Action Roadmap, retailers are setting a world-leading industry ambition to reach net zero emissions. It’s a fundamental goal, requiring bold leadership from government and from commerce – I highly commend each retailer who supports this initiative.