Championing sustainability to protect your retail business, as rising customer awareness and regulatory scrutiny increase the need for environmental responsibility.

Championing sustainability is a critical task for the retail industry. As a responsible and sustainable business, your operations and supply chains are dependent on healthy environments and communities across the world. Customers awakening to the climate change and their appetite to make better purchasing decisions heightens retailers' reputational risk, and the growing policy and regulatory scrutiny over industry's environmental and carbon footprint exposes retailers to new and additional pressures.

Retailers are challenged to solve climate and sustainability related issues, but these are often complex problems that require collaborative approaches.

The CSR Community provides the platform for retailers to work together and lead the drive for positive sustainable change. We bring together retailers across the board to share insights and influence most relevant green policies for the industry, give you a horizon scan of the most pressing legislative and policy priorities, and facilitate engagement with UK Governments and regulators.

We've recently supported our members in the implementation of the Plastic Packaging Tax, built industry alignment on mandatory food waste reporting and unlocked pathways for retail decarbonisation by 2040 thanks to the Climate Action Roadmap.

View Sustainability Community Hub
Sustainability Community

Objectives

1

Helping members prepare for future packaging costs through EPR

2

Securing a workable DRS which appropriately compensates retailers

3

Helping members deliver their net zero strategy through our Climate Action Roadmap

4

Providing a positive response to ethical labour challenges in supply chains

5

Helping members develop your nature and biodiversity strategy

Sustainability Community

Working Groups

Within the Sustainability Community are the following Working Groups:

Climate Action Roadmap

Sign up to our industry commitment to net zero by 2040 and engage in our five pathways to decarbonise your footprint, improve energy efficiency, shift to zero carbon logistics and sustainable sourcing, as well as enable low-carbon lifestyles.

Circular Textiles and Clothing Working Group

Updates on forthcoming policy and regulatory changes in the UK affecting the fashion industry. 

Ethical Labour Working Group

Updates on latest ethical labour developments in supply chain, including human rights due diligence and modern slavery.

Deposit Return Scheme Group

Insights and updates on the introduction of Deposits Return Schemes across the UK, including support and advice on the implementation of a DRS in Scotland from August 2023.

Packaging Working Group

Includes industry work on the ongoing packaging reform in the UK (packaging EPR) and wider discussion on sustainable packaging, recycled content, plastic packaging tax, and non-food packaging applications.

Forest Risk Commodity Working Group

Focus on the sustainable sourcing of forest risk commodities and updates on upcoming deforestation regulations.

WEEE and Batteries Working Group

Focus on recycling of electric and electronic products, as well as batteries updates, work of the forthcoming WEEE Regulations review, retail takebacks, DTS.

Sustainability Community

Members

The following key roles and the teams that report into them: 

  • CSR & Sustainability and ESG Experts Directors

  • Ethical Trade Managers

  • Policy and Public Affairs Executives

  • Responsible Sourcing specialists

  • Environment Managers

  • Associate Members

Don't just take our word for it...

What our members say

  • Nick Wilkinson

    The BRC allows a fiercely competitive sector to come together on some of the most important issues of the day. When it focuses on the long term topics that require well considered political and legal change it is at its most effective.

    Nick WilkinsonCEO
  • Giles Hurley

    The BRC is invaluable in bringing retailers together to discuss crucial topics and then lobby the retailer message to government on our behalf. The BRC’s media presence and focus on promoting the interests of retailers allows us to align on issues impacting the sector.

    Giles HurleyCEO, UK & Ireland
  • Nick Orrin

    A very effective business network that provides insight and coordinates industry opinion.

    Nick OrrinCEO
  • Kari Rodgers

    The BRC continues to do an excellent job of supporting the retail sector and its individual members on a wide variety of issues.

    Kari RodgersUK Retail Director
  • Roisin Currie

    Adds a lot to our business, great sounding board, very well connected and able to influence.

    Roisin CurrieCEO
  • Peter Wood

    A positive and considered voice for our industry, useful learning/ business-focused communities that help our team in their roles, and data insights that help us benchmark our performance.

    Peter WoodCEO
Sustainability

Community Managers

  • Naomi Brandon-Bravo

    Sustainability Policy Adviser | BRC

    Naomi leads on packaging and waste including pEPR, WEEE Regulations and DRS.

  • Sophie De Salis

    Sustainability Policy Adviser | BRC

    Sophie leads on ethical labour, responsible sourcing of commodities, and circular textiles. 

Climate Action Roadmap

Community Manager

  • Tracey Banks

    Climate Action Programme Manager | BRC

    Tracey leads our work under the Climate Action Roadmap, coordinates signatories’ work under each pathway and engagement with the key partners. 

BRC Retail Member?

Join a community

Join our member communities and get more advice and support on issues that matter to you.

Sustainability Community

Relevant Associates

For further insights and expertise, click the logos for contact details.

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RSK
Track Record Global
Valpak Ltd