20 Retailers pledge to cut their carbon emissions

20 retailers have pledged to cut their carbon emissions, ahead of the government’s target of net-zero by 2050.

Amazon, Morrisons and Marks & Spencer are part of a group of 20 businesses who have teamed up to create a decarbonisation “road map” to help the industry to reach its targets.

The initiative is led by the BRC and could result in retailers placing carbon labels on their products stating their environmental impact.

The declaration recognises that retailers “are coming together through the BRC to develop a ground-breaking decarbonisation plan that will guide the industry on the steps necessary to accelerate progress to a Net Zero UK”.

Participating retailers will also look at ways to reduce the environmental impact of online home orders, which could include using more electric vehicles or drones.

BRC head of sustainability policy Peter Andrews said: “Climate change remains one of the biggest threats to the planet,”

“As we start to recover from the coronavirus pandemic there is no better opportunity to build a greener more sustainable world,” he said.

“Retailers, suppliers and customers all have their part to play in reducing their carbon emissions. This roadmap will be the first step towards a better, more sustainable future. It will then be up to wider industry and Government to implement the recommendations it set out.”

The declaration states that retailers are “uniquely placed” to help tackle climate change.

Retailers are expected to focus on three areas: cutting emissions in stores and distribution centres, supply chains and helping customers to reduce their own carbon footprint through the products they purchase.

Other business that have signed the pledge include Aldi, Costa Coffee, Boots, Ikea, Ocado and WHSmith.

The final plan will be published next year, in the lead up to the UN climate change conference in Glasgow.