Some of the UK’s biggest retailers have pledged their support for an action plan launched by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) called Better Retail, Better World.
Those already signed up to the programme include John Lewis, Kingfisher, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Dixons Carphone, Next, Boots, Aldi, Co-op, House of Fraser, Fenwick, Ikea, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, WHSmith, Wilko, DFS, Clarks, Greggs and Debenhams, who have signed up to a set of targets to be reached by 2020.
The initiative comes as retailers face increasing pressure over the use of plastic packaging, excessive landfill waste and ongoing concerns about the treatment of overseas workers in the supply chain. It is designed to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainability, development and equality are the keywords of the campaign, which aims to cut greenhouse gases, tackle deforestation and address the problem of waste. Other key goals include the eradication of modern slavery in the supply chain and better support for people employed in the wider retail sector.
BRC chairman, Richard Pennycock, kick started the initiative at the House of Commons alongside his retail sector council co-chair, the retail minister, Andrew Griffiths. The campaign builds on the A Better Retail Climate initiative previously launched by the BRC.
Richard Pennycock commented that it was “This is part of a growing movement for change. It is time for the retail industry to show what it can do for the common good.”
Tanya Steele, Chief Executive of the WWF said: “We are delighted to support the Better Retail Better World industry goals. The goals are what the SDGs are all about: bringing business, civil society and government together to bring about change in the world. Retail businesses working with consumers are key to the success of the SDGs and key in the race to restore nature.”
Visit the BRC website to read more about the initiative
https://brc.org.uk/making-a-difference/priorities/better-retail-better-world/
