What is the Energy Pathway?
Retailers occupy a range of different site profiles, from small local shops in high streets and towns, to out-of-town shopping malls and superstores, and to large distribution warehouses that facilitate large global supply chains and the rise of online shopping.
All retail properties have an associated energy demand, primarily for lighting, space heating and cooling and refrigeration. Responsibility for site operations and energy will depend on building ownership and tenancy agreements, with control lying with the residing retailer, the landlord, or specialist site managers.
Retail sites are a small portion of total value chain emissions. However, although site operations are not the largest emissions hotpots, they are generally under full or partial control of the retailer, and actions that reduce the operating carbon footprint can provide operational cost savings.
Sourcing renewable energy and installing energy-efficient technologies can make zero emission direct operations a near term reality.
A 20% cut in energy costs can represent the same bottom-line benefit as a 5% increase in sales.
Energy Pathway Guidance


Energy Pathway Milestones Summary
2025
- All new buildings powered by renewable energy.
- 100% LEDs in all new buildings.
- Only low impact refrigerant gases (max 150 global warming potential) for all new refrigeration installations.
2030
- Sourcing 100% renewable electricity.
2035
- Renewables to cover all sites’ total energy uses.
- Only low impact refrigerant gases (max 150 global warming potential) in use for all systems.
- > 100% LED lighting across all buildings.
Energy Pathway Actions Summary
For Retailers
Short term priorities
- Monitor whole-building energy efficiency.
- Improve heating efficiency and infrastructure by building fabric improvements and installing renewable heat equipment.
- Switch to LED lighting.
- Improve refrigeration efficiency and utilise low global warming potential refrigerants.
- Source renewable energy through on-site renewables, Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) and Energy Attribution Certificates (REGOs).
Longer term transformations
- Incorporate ambitious design guidance for new net zero buildings.
- Seize emissions reduction and operation efficiency co-benefits in warehouses and distribution centres.
- Invest in on-site renewable energy capacity.
- Adopt smart building control systems that provide granular information on energy use.
- Consider technologies that have the potential to reduce emissions and lower costs.
For Government
- Consider measures to speed the rapid decarbonisation of the UK energy system including accelerating grid decarbonisation and deployment of zero carbon heat.
- Enhance action to drive building efficiency including building standards and efficiency requirements for landlords.
- Provide support for the upgrade of refrigeration systems to utilise low global warming potential refrigerants.
For BRC
- Support the retail industry to shift to sourcing responsible, competitive renewable electricity.
- Support retailers in leveraging collective power in landlord discussions to assist in shift to 100% renewable energy sites.
Contact our programme 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.
Content & Resources
- Article
Nature = Growth: How Biodiversity Can Drive Retail Innovation
07 Jul 2025 - Member AccessArticle
Supplier Data Focus Group - meeting notes
02 Jul 2025 - Article
CBAM Update
02 Jul 2025 - Briefing
Packaging EPR: June Announcements Update
30 Jun 2025 - Member AccessArticle
Letter to Minister: Deforestation Due Diligence
27 Jun 2025 - Article
A deep dive into Responsible Business Conduct
27 Jun 2025 - Article
UK's Trade Strategy & Responsible Business
26 Jun 2025 - Blog
Environmental Packaging Summit | Tomorrow’s packaging powerhouse: Future-proof, sustainable, unmissable
23 Jun 2025 - Member AccessMeeting Note
Minister Meeting: Circular Economy
20 Jun 2025 - Article
The Four Lenses in Retail Leadership: Working Through the Friction
19 Jun 2025
On-demand Webinars
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BRC Climate Action Roadmap 2025 Programme Update
03 Apr 2025 - On demand
Carbon removals accounting: core rules and requirements explained
13 Mar 2025 - On demand
Part 2: Leading People: A People-Centric Approach
27 Feb 2025 - On demand
Part 1: Leading From Within: Self Mastery
12 Feb 2025 - On demand
Sustainable choices to trusted claims: Engaging with the conscious consumer
26 Nov 2024 - On demand
Nature and biodiversity for retailers: an introduction
16 Oct 2024 - On demand
Mastering Green Claims: Essential Insights for Retail Leaders
02 Oct 2024 - On demand
Net Zero Playbook: The Informed Tenant
01 Oct 2024 - On demand
Greening Your Supply Chain: Strategies for Difficult Categories
01 Oct 2024 - On demand
Carbon Removals and the Road to Net Zero
30 Sep 2024
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Finance & The Scope 3 Data Challenge
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