3Keel developing BRC Climate Roadmap with UK retail industry

A key pillar of 3Keel’s theory of change is to use convening power to accelerate collective commitments to sustainability. Today we are excited to announce a seminal new project, to develop a UK retail climate roadmap on behalf of the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
The retail industry is uniquely placed to support the journey to a low carbon future. It is the largest private-sector employer in the UK, it feeds and clothes every UK citizen, provides the goods we need, and supports the livelihoods of millions through its global supply chain.

3Keel are working in partnership with Canopy: Sustainability Consulting and Mike Barry Consulting, to support the BRC and twenty major retailers to develop a ground-breaking decarbonisation plan that will guide the industry on the steps necessary to accelerate progress towards a Net Zero UK, ahead of the Government’s 2050 target.

This collaboration combines 3Keel’s experience of GHG modelling and target-setting, with Canopy’s sustainability strategy and engagement expertise, and Mike Barry’s unrivalled retail sustainability track record. As a team we will work with BRC, and leading retailers, to create a roadmap that will provide retailers with the guidance and support necessary to decarbonise.

The Roadmap will map the steps retailers will take to cut greenhouse gas emissions associated with their shops, distribution centres and logistics, but also, and most importantly, their supply chains and the products people are buying every day.

Achieving Net Zero carbon emissions will only be possible through a shared understanding, commitment, collaboration and action across the industry and its stakeholders. The roadmap will be an important tool in aligning and coordinating action. The UK retail industry is one of the first sectors globally to take this comprehensive and ambitious approach.

The Roadmap will be published in the run-up to COP 26.

Simon Miller, Managing Partner of 3Keel LLP, said:
3Keel is excited to provide the research and technical framework to support the UK retail industry in plotting its decarbonisation pathway. We will profile the emissions of value chains from food and fridges, to furniture and fashion, in order to identify opportunities for collective action to reduce retail’s carbon footprint, from ‘cradle to grave’.

Peter Andrews, Head of Sustainability Policy at the British Retail Consortium, said:
“Climate change remains one of the biggest threats to the planet. As we start to recover from the coronavirus pandemic there is no better opportunity to build a greener more sustainable world. The expectations of society are shifting rapidly. Greater action from businesses is expected. Retail will lead the way.
“Retailers, suppliers and customers all have their part to play in reducing their carbon emissions. This roadmap will be the first step towards a better, more sustainable future. It will then be up to wider industry and Government to implement the recommendations it sets out.”

Matt Loose, Chief Executive of Canopy: Sustainability Consulting, said:
“Canopy is delighted to work to support this ambitious group of retailers as they map the journey to Net Zero. The retail sector has an incredibly important role to play by accelerating the decarbonisation of retail operations and supply chains and helping consumers to make the transition to low carbon lifestyles. We are providing support to develop the strategy and engage stakeholders to deliver a clear and actionable plan that will mobilise industry action.”

Mike Barry said:
“There is no more important sector on the journey to Net Zero in the UK than retail. Not just because of the size of its carbon footprint but also because it’s where millions of citizens meet 100,000s of businesses whether they be shops, websites, factories or farmers. The BRC’s leadership is helping us drive the technical change we need but also opening up a conversation with people too which is just as important for our success.”

See BRC announcement with supporting retailers’ logos here