Trade body finds over 50% of the total UK retail market certified to the Carbon Trust Standard
Trade body finds over 50% of the total UK retail market certified to the Carbon Trust Standard
Despite the recession, recent released insight from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has highlighted that UK retailers are increasingly recognising the reputational and financial benefits of reducing their carbon emissions.
According to BRC research, retailers accounting for over 50% of the UK’s total retail turnover are now certified to the independent assessment of carbon data known as the Carbon Trust Standard. The Standard certifies that an organisation has reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions and demonstrates commitment to becoming a more sustainable business supporting a cleaner environment.
To achieve the Standard, organisations need to demonstrate that they are measuring, managing and reducing their carbon emissions across their operations, and commit to reducing further year-on-year.
Exploiting the business case
Bob Gordon, head of environment at the British Retail Consortium, commented: “This result demonstrates that the retail sector is taking the lead on reducing its carbon emissions. The sector can be proud that more and more retailers are introducing energy efficiency improvements. There’s clearly a strong business case to do so. Helping the environment reflects positively on reputation and reduces energy bills.”
Darran Messem, managing director of certification at the Carbon Trust, added: “Heat, light, refrigeration and distribution for retail outlets drive energy consumption, carbon emissions and operating costs. I am encouraged that more and more retailers in the UK are recognising the reputational and economic benefits of cutting their carbon emissions, and believe that the retail sector will maintain its momentum for certifying to the standard in the coming years.”
The trade body said there is widespread interest across the retail sector for certifying to internationally recognised standards such as the Carbon Trust Standard and premium brands are also performing well when it comes to reducing their impact on climate change. Standard-bearers Selfridges, Harrods and the John Lewis Partnership are among the luxury, top-end and leading retailers that have measured, managed and reduced their carbon emissions. This has led to a cumulative cost saving by these businesses of nearly £1 million over their assessment period.
Retailers leading by example
Selfridges achieved the Carbon Trust Standard in June 2011. Over the assessment period it reduced CO2 emissions by 4,700 tonnes and made energy savings of over £500,000 on gas and electricity. Its actions include assigning a night energy manager and offering bonuses to facilities managers for reducing energy consumption.
Harrods achieved the Carbon Trust Standard in July 2011. During the period in which the company’s energy performance was assessed, Harrods significantly reduced CO2 emissions and made substantial cost savings. The measures implemented include a “watts per meter square” lighting control initiative, highly efficient central refrigeration packs and the installation of energy efficient lighting.
John Lewis Partnership was awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in June 2010. Since John Lewis was certified, it instigated initiatives such as removing all hydro fluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant gas emissions using a new propane-based, water-cooled refrigeration system. The Partnership's action to improve energy efficiency, reduce the impact of refrigerants and increase distribution fuel efficiency in John Lewis and Waitrose stores has resulted in a 4.4% efficiency improvement in emissions compared with a 2007/08 baseline.
Providing customer assurance
Gemma Lacey, head of corporate social responsibility at the John Lewis Partnership, added: "The John Lewis Partnership has detailed plans to reduce its absolute carbon emissions by 15% by 2020 (compared with a 2010/11 baseline). The Carbon Trust Standard helps us to demonstrate our commitment to this target, engage our Partners in our carbon reduction plans and provide assurance to our customers, who expect us to be doing the right thing.”
Research from BrandZ, the brand and corporate reputation study carried out by WPP subsidiary Millward Brown, shows that about 20% of sales are influenced by corporate reputation, and 61% of people surveyed by Vanson Bourne on behalf of the Carbon Trust among 1,000 UK consumers said they would be more likely to buy from a company if it has a good reputation for reducing its impact on climate change.
Over 600 organisations have achieved the Carbon Trust Standard since it was launched in June 2008.
