The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has published a new industry report emphasising the need for UK retailers to accelerate their response to climate change and environmental degradation, signalling a shift towards greater accountability and transparency across the sector.
The report, which forms part of the BRC’s ongoing sustainability agenda, underscores the importance of measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions across retail value chains, and tracking progress against established environmental targets. It is intended to hold retailers to account for their impact on the environment and to support the industry’s efforts to decarbonise operations ahead of its net zero ambitions.
According to the BRC’s Climate Action Roadmap, emissions from retail operations and supply chains contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas output, with retail products accounting for nearly one-third of household carbon emissions in the UK. The roadmap sets a sector target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040 — a full decade ahead of the UK Government’s national target — by focusing on energy efficiency, low-carbon logistics, sustainable sourcing and enhanced data reporting.
Industry representatives said the latest report highlights both progress and gaps in current practice. They noted that, while some major retailers have made strides in reducing their environmental footprint, many still lack comprehensive nature and biodiversity strategies or standardised metrics to monitor ecological risk, leaving supply chains vulnerable to climate-related disruptions.
Andrew Opie, Director of Food and Sustainability at the BRC, described the findings as a “call to action” for the retail sector. He said the industry must not only cut emissions but also address broader environmental concerns such as resource depletion, biodiversity loss and sustainable sourcing. Opie stressed the need for collaborative engagement between retailers, suppliers and government to embed nature-centric policies and strengthen supplier compliance mechanisms.
The report points to several barriers that continue to slow climate action within the sector, including budget pressures, challenges in gathering consistent emissions data from complex supply chains, and a lack of formal nature targets among many retailers. It further recommends that companies develop practicable policies, adopt standardised reporting frameworks and work closely with suppliers to improve environmental performance.
Retail analysts said the BRC’s emphasis on accountability and reporting reflects a broader trend of escalating regulatory and consumer expectations around sustainability. They noted that clearer data and rigorous tracking will be essential if the sector is to demonstrate real progress towards climate goals without compromising product affordability or operational resilience.
While the report acknowledges that some retailers are taking practical steps — such as enhancing supplier engagement and developing internal emissions reporting systems — it warns that a more concerted and unified approach will be necessary to meet the sector’s ambitious climate targets and maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.
The BRC has indicated that future publications will continue to monitor progress and track how effectively retailers implement the roadmap’s recommendations, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to environmental responsibility and transparent performance measurement.
