Retailers' Environmental Action Programme
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Retailers’ Environmental Action Programme 2011 Annual Report I am delighted to see that the Retail Forum made significant progress in the first three years of its life, by issuing a series of recommendations on how to improve environmental performance and sustainability of the sector. Janez Potočnik European Commissioner for the Environment Foreword Chairmen’s statement Annual Report 2011 Annual Report Retail is acclaimed for its ability to respond to immediate challenges, but also for paving the way to major societal change. The environmental challenges we now face require such a REAP change – from us all. And the retail sector is committed to playing its part. Yet, while individ- ual companies can take measures at company level, global issues must be addressed col- 3 lectively, by all the players along the supply chain. This need for coordinated action was the driving force for the foundation of REAP, the Retailers’ Environmental Action Programme. Through this cooperation, we are determined to drive forward the sustainable consumption and production agenda. Last year, the Retail Forum for Sustainability worked with stakeholders on the issues of timber and timber management, environmental life-cycle information in everyday products and the carbon footprint of stores. We also finalised discussions on marketing and effective communication and how best to apply these principles on labelling. In this second annual report, we give an overview of progress made by REAP members towards the commitments made by both individual companies and federations and the targets set over the past year. These measures aim to increase the availability of environ- mentally friendly products, improve the environmental footprint of company activities and provide consumers with the right information to make more sustainable choices. For all large players and, increasingly, for smaller companies, sustainability has become an integral part of the core business strategy. Rising energy prices and the threat of resource scarcity are just two of the reasons why sustainability makes not only ecological sense but also economic sense. Growing consumer awareness also gives businesses an edge over their competitors. As Presidents of EuroCommerce and ERRT we reaffirm the long-term and unwavering com- mitment of our sector to the principle of environmental sustainability. The challenges we face are increasing by the day. We can always do more and we can always do better. Yet a million tiny changes can lead a revolution: with the help of our members and our partners, we are determined to reach our goals. Dick Boer Dr. Rainhardt von Leoprechting President, ERRT President, EuroCommerce Chief Executive Officer Royal Ahold Senior Executive Advisor to the Management Board, Metro Group Foreword COMMISSIONER POTOČNIK – RETAIL FORUM ANNUAL REPORT Annual Report 2011 Annual Report The Commission adopted on 20th September the Resource REAP Efficiency roadmap, setting out how Europe’s economy 4 should become fully sustainable in 2050. It is not only an environmental agenda, but an agenda for competitiveness and growth based on using fewer resources through better products design, substitution of materials and enhanced recycling. Pressures on resources like biodiversity, soil haviour, a change in consumer habits and or water are constantly increasing and a eventually a change in lifestyles. Retailers failure to meet the existing goals could have play a crucial role to catalyse this change; disastrous consequences in the longer term. they are at the crucial position between Three sectors, namely food, buildings and supply and demand and know best how to mobility are responsible for the greatest influence their customers’ choices. share of environmental impacts, around 70- 80%. This report shows that retailers already Hence there is a huge potential to reap sig- now are seizing the opportunities and I nificant benefits if we manage to enhance trust that in the next years the whole sec- the sustainability in these three areas. tor will spearhead a new thinking and un- derstanding of sustainability for example by Retailers who are active in all three of these dedicated specific efforts focusing on envi- areas are certainly key players in the Euro- ronmental hot spots. pean economy, generating a significant part Because, in the long term our interests, of Europe’s GDP, around 13 %. economic and environmental ones, are the Thus retailers could become the frontrun- same, the only route to follow is the one to ner in environmental performance by dem- a sustainable future of competitiveness and onstrating that resource efficiency is about growth. decoupling economic growth from resource use and its negative environmental impacts. For further information: www.generationawake.eu They can significantly contribute to pre- serve our natural resource base. The EU campaign on resource efficiency raises aware- ness about the need to use natural resources wisely, and encourages citizens to think about their impact on the I am delighted to see that the Retail Forum planet when making purchasing decisions. made significant progress in the first three years of its life, by issuing a series of rec- ommendations on how to improve environ- mental performance and sustainability of the sector. It covered a wide range of topics, such as sustainable timber, environmental labelling, energy efficiency in stores, infor- mation for consumers, packaging, transport Janez Potočnik and logistics and many others. European Commissioner for Environment But in view the pressures on the environ- ment there is no room for complacency. To bring about a resource efficiency transfor- mation we need a change in consumer be- About REAP The retail sector’s commitments for a sustainable future 2011 Annual Report REAP 5 In March 2009, as a response to the EU Action Plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production published by the European Commission a few months earlier, Euro- pean retailers decided to take action and launched a voluntary initiative known as REAP - the Retailers’ Environmental Action Plan. This initiative aimed at reducing the global environmental footprint of the retail sector and its supply chain, as well as work towards promoting more sustainable prod- ucts, and providing more visible information to consumers. The objective of REAP is fur- thermore to serve as a common structure for exchange and dialogue between relevant stakeholders, whether being suppliers, con- sumer bodies, environmental organisations, or policy-makers within the EU institutions. In order to facilitate and achieve those goals, specific instruments and tools were created: the Retail Forum and the Matrix of environmental Action Points (MAP). participants and drawing up recommenda- tions for retailers, policy-makers and stake- The Retail Forum holders. To date, the Forum has addressed The Retail Forum is a multi-stakeholder the following issues: platform that aims to exchange views and • Energy efficiency of stores best practises, identify key challenges and • Optimisation of distribution systems possible solutions, as well as existing op- • Marketing and effective communication portunities and barriers. It was launched in • Timber and timber management March 2009 by ERRT and EuroCommerce, • Life-cycle data on daily use products with the support of then Commissioner • Measurement and reduction of carbon for Environment Stavros Dimas and Com- footprint of stores missioner for Consumer Affairs Meglena • Labelling Kuneva. Several topics of interest to the retail sector are open for debate each year Packaging and waste, sustainable fish will and following every meeting, an issue paper be, amongst others, the topics covered in is drawn up by ERRT and Eurocommerce forthcoming meetings. Once finalised, the (in collaboration with the European Com- issue papers are published on the Retail Fo- mission) taking into account the input from rum website. About REAP Annual Report 2011 Annual Report REAP 6 The MAP The Matrix of environmental Action Points • How we sell: includes actions aimed at is an open, dynamic list of commitments on limiting environmental impacts from re- environmental targets made by individual tailers’ own distribution activities (stores, retail companies and associations. distribution centres, transport and goods) Existing members may choose to initiate as well as limiting environmental impacts additional actions and new members may of operations through the supply chain. add new initiatives at any time. • How we communicate: includes actions The actions are grouped into three catego- aimed at informing and influencing the ries: consumer to make better choices and de- • What we sell: includes actions aimed at cisions in consuming, owning and using selling lower impact, better performing more sustainable products and services. products and services. This list of actions is available on the following website: http://www.eurocommerce.be/media/docs/REAPMAP-website.doc Index Annual Report 2011 Annual Report REAP Foreword ...................................................................3 ABOUT REAP ..................................................................5 7 Companies ASDA – WALMART ...........................................................10 AUCHAN......................................................................11 C&A .........................................................................12 CARREFOUR GROUP ..........................................................13 COLRUYT GROUP.............................................................14