The document outlines a proposed retail industry initiative to address climate change. It discusses establishing shared goals across retailers to: 1) Reduce their direct environmental impacts; 2) Manage climate risks; 3) Help customers, staff, and suppliers reduce impacts; 4) Engage in policy debates; and 5) Report transparently. Specific targets are proposed, such as cutting energy and transport emissions by 15% each, and landfilling less than 50% of waste. The initiative aims to deliver a unified vision and measurable priorities to drive collaboration within the industry and with stakeholders.

1. A Better Retailing Climate
Jane Milne
Director of Business Environment

2. Why launch another climate change
initiative?
• Sector-wide
• Leading actors and
those taking early
steps
• Single, clear
message
• Seeking to work with
partners to deliver
real change

3. What do customers say?
• Retailers (supermarkets) are seen as a the most
responsible sector with regard to climate change,
ahead of the general public, electricity and car
companies, food and drink manufacturers and
government
• But there is still more to be done - only a small
minority are satisfied with current efforts on
sustainability
• Collaboration is seen as an essential challenge if
retailers are to move the agenda forward significantly
Sustainability Issues in the Retail Sector, Ipsos MORI 2007

4. Why a retail initiative?
“ During the next three to five years, most companies
in.. ..heavy industries will need to act on climate change
in a major way. Sectors that have so far featured less
prominently in the debate, such as consumer goods, high
tech, and financial services, will have to get moving as
well.”
Business Strategies for Climate Change The McKinsey Quarterly 2008
“Few believe that retailers alone can resolve the issue
and recognise that shoppers will also need to play a
part.”
Sustainability Issues in the Retail Sector Ipsos MORI 2007

5. What will we deliver?
• A shared vision across retailers from the corner
shop to the giants of the industry
• An agreed set of priorities and KPIs on which
performance can be measured and judged
• A shared view of the solutions required
• A platform for improved collaboration both across
the retail industry and with its stakeholders

6. Our goals
1. Reduce the direct environmental impact of our
businesses
2. Manage our climate risks
3. Help our customers, staff and suppliers to
reduce their environmental impacts and
vulnerabilities
4. Engage in the public policy debate and support
the Government in meeting its climate change
goals
5. Report our achievements transparently and
consistently

7. Reduce the direct environmental
impact of our businesses
– Cutting energy-related emissions from buildings by
15%
– Aiming for a reduction of 15% in energy-related
transport CO2 emissions from stores deliveries
– Measuring water-use in sites accounting for 75% of
usage, and setting targets for reductions
– Landfilling less than 50% of our waste, minimising
waste from operations and managing sustainably
unavoidable waste

8. Manage our climate risks
– Ensure our customers receive continuity of
supply and the highest levels of service,
working with national and local government
– Provide our customers with the new
products and services that they will need
as average weather conditions change

9. Help our customers to reduce their
environmental impacts/ vulnerabilities
• Helping customers to understand more about climate
change
• Helping them make more informed decisions about
– Energy efficient and low carbon products
– Environmentally responsible ways to access our services
– Recycling and waste disposal
• And providing or supporting services for
– Reduced consumer packaging waste
– Recycling and end of life product disposal

10. Help our suppliers to reduce their
environmental impacts/ vulnerabilities
– Working with our suppliers to understand better
• The carbon footprint of their production systems
– And to offer products that
• Have a lower carbon footprint/higher energy efficiency
• Are more sustainable
• Have the most sustainable, and minimum effective,
packaging

11. Help our employees to reduce their
environmental impacts/ vulnerabilities
– Engage our staff
– Help them to play their role in meeting these
commitments
– Encouraging them to make informed choices
outside work
3 million ambassadors for action!

12. Engage in the public policy debate and
support the Government in meeting its
climate change goals
Supporting objective, evidence-based policy making to:
•Develop and maintain a growing, low carbon
economy
•Ensure business continuity measures are in place
•Reduce emissions, enhance resilience and reduce
the environmental impact of communities

13. Report our achievements transparently
and consistently
• Board-level recognition of the need to
incorporate climate risks into business
strategy
• Sector-level reporting on annual progress
towards these goals, and plans for future
action

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