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UK retailers cut carbon emissions by half since 2005

Published May 17, 2021

UK retailers cut carbon emissions by half since 2005

Leading UK retailers have cut their carbon emissions by 49% since 2005, according to data from the British Retail Consortium.

The figures show the retailers have easily exceeded the original target for a 25% absolute reduction for buildings and transport carbon. The figures also show carbon emissions in stores have fallen by 84% against a 50% target.

More than 70 leading retailers – including Sainsbury’s, Iceland and IKEA – are part of a project to help the UK retail industry and its supply chain reach net zero by 2040. The retailers are steering their progress in line with targets set by BRC as part of its ‘Climate Action Roadmap’.

The roadmap’s targets include a commitment by retailers to decarbonise stores by 2030 and deliveries by 2035. The roadmap also requires retailers to address emissions in the supply chain.

The retailers are on target when it comes to emissions from deliveries (down 46%, when controlled for growth, against a target of 45%) and transport (43% when controlled for growth against 45% target). However, when growth is not taken into account, absolute emissions from transport fell by just 15%.

Peter Andrews, Head of Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement to have halved greenhouse gases from our stores and lorries in little over a decade. However, we recognise we can do much more by helping drive decarbonisation across our supply chains and supporting our customers to live lower carbon lifestyles through the products they buy.”





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