A total 63 retailers have come together to support the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Climate Action Roadmap, which was unveiled today holding the ambitious target of bringing the retail industry and its supply chains to “Net Zero” by 2040.
The BRC said, with vital support from government, the retail industry can decarbonise stores by 2030, deliveries by 2035, and products by 2040. The common meaning of “Net Zero” is that any residual greenhouse gas emissions are completely offset by removals.
Five pillars make up the roadmap – they are, as follows:
- Putting decarbonisation at the core of all business decision making
- Reducing carbon emissions from shops and distribution centres
- Moving to net zero logistics operations
- Increasing sustainably sourced products
- Helping customers and employees to live low carbon lifestyles
In the statement revealing the overarching aim of the roadmap, the BRC spoke of the industry’s aim to operate in a greener way in the years ahead. It cited algae-based carbon-absorbing clothes, shops and cafes powered by energy captured from customers’ footsteps, and products ‘printed’ at home by 3D printers as the potential direction of travel if the sector is to reduce its carbon footprint.
The Climate Action Roadmap begins a 20-year journey through which the industry will combat climate change and help customers towards more low-carbon lifestyles.
Helen Dickinson, CEO of the BRC, said: “Climate change is a threat that none of us can afford to ignore.
“The BRC Climate Action Roadmap is a clear and decisive statement that the retail industry is ready to take on this challenge – to be part of the solution. By 2040, we want every UK customer to be able to be able to make purchases – in store and online – safe in the knowledge that they are not contributing to global heating.”
She added: “Retail is the critical gateway between vast international supply chains and every one of us as citizens. We have a fantastic opportunity to make a real global difference if we can all work collectively.”
Retailer supporters of the roadmap at launch are: Aldi; All Saints; Ann Summers; AO; Asda; Asos; Barker and Stonehouse; Bensons for Beds; Body Shop; Booksellers Association; Boots; Burberry; Central England Co-operative; Co-op; Costa Coffee; DFS; Dixons Carphone; Dunelm; Greggs; Harvey Nichols; Iceland Foods; Ikea; John Lewis Partnership; KFC; Kingfisher; Lidl; Marks & Spencer; Matalan; McKesson UK; Missguided; Morrisons; Mountain Warehouse; Musgrave; N Brown; Natural History Museum; New Look; Next; Notonthehighstreet; Ocado Retail; Oliver Bonas; Paperchase; Pets at Home; Pret UK; Primark; Radley & Co; Reiss; River Island; Sainsburys; Schuh; Scotmid; Seasalt; Simba Sleep; Spar; Superdry; Ted Baker; Tempur UK; Timpson Group; TK Maxx & Home Sense; Very Group; WHSmith; Whittard of Chelsea; Wickes; and Wilko.
Read the executive summary of the new BRC roadmap
[Image credit: Green Retail World]
