The Australian Retailers Association – the peak body for the industry – on Tuesday (December 7) released its road map to meet the sustainability targets announced during the global climate summit in Glasgow.
Only around 5 per cent of the world’s retailers have made a commitment to the net-zero targets.
The ARA road map is an Australian first and provides practical guidance to retailers about the suggested decisions, investments and actions they can make, either as they embark on their sustainability journey or as they accelerate their transition to net-zero emissions. It sets aspirational targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050 in five streams of work, or pathways and has been developed with the support of a member-led working group and reviewed by leading experts in the transition to net zero.
Included in the suggestions are:
- Increasing the quantity and quality of emissions data, to enable data-driven decisions
- Building and operating low-emissions, energy-efficient stores, warehouses and offices powered by 100 per cent renewable energy
- Continuing to improve fuel efficiency and supporting the transition to electric and hydrogen vehicles, for low-carbon logistics
- Sourcing products and raw materials in a manner that minimises impacts on the environment and natural resources, and
- Embracing the circular economy, working with suppliers to produce more with less, and supporting consumers in the transition to more sustainable consumption.
ARA chief executive Paul Zahra said climate change is the next big disrupter for retail and the road map is designed to guide retailers on the steps they can take to achieve net-zero emissions.
“Once again, we are all in this together and the ARA is proud to unite the sector behind a common vision for change. With the transition to net-zero, it is no longer ‘if’ but ‘when and how’ we can achieve our goals and it’s clear that business has a critical role to play alongside governments in driving the change we need to see. Many of our members are already global leaders in this space and have generously shared their insights in the creation of this roadmap,” Mr Zahra said.
“The ARA is working closely with our global alliances and counterparts. Our roadmap has been benchmarked against the foundational work that our colleagues at the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have completed over the past two years in developing their Climate Action Roadmap. While Australian retailers have some different challenges to our peers in the UK, there are significant similarities, so the framework is a great model for us to build upon.
“This is a living document, and one we will review and update each year as technologies, the market opportunities and government requirements evolve. While we don’t yet have all the answers, the ARA’s roadmap is designed to make it easier for our members and the Australian retail sector to navigate the journey ahead.”
