Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Retailers urged to make net zero commitment ahead of COP26 conference

Retailers urged to make net zero commitment ahead of COP26 conference
A giant sand artwork adorns New Brighton Beach to highlight global warming and the forthcoming COP26 global climate conference on May 31, 2021 in Wirral, Merseyside. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Ahead of a global climate conference in Scotland in November, UK Net Zero Business Champion Andrew Griffith MP has urged the retail sector to make a formal commitment to net zero.

In an open letter to the sector, Griffith asked retailers to join the Together For Our Planet ‘Business Climate Leaders’ campaign, which supports small businesses to make net zero pledge and reduce their carbon footprint, in the run up to the United Nations COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow in November.


”The retail sector is a key part of our economy and has an important role to play in making a net zero commitment,” Griffith wrote in the letter. “Making greener choices now can mean savings on business running costs, and also show customers the retail sector continues to be serious about sustainability.”

The government has developed new advice bespoke to the retail sector as part of the UK Business Climate Hub website, outlining the small steps businesses can take to fight climate change.

Griffith said businesses can take the first step on their journey to a low carbon future by committing to cutting their carbon emissions in half by 2030 and to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050 by visiting the UK Business Climate Hub.

“By making this pledge, they will be joining an international community of thousands of likeminded businesses, and will be recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as one of thousands of ‘climate leaders’ across the country – companies that are acting as role models and inspiring others in the community to find meaningful ways to take positive environmental action,” he added.

More for you

Illegal vape seizures in Essex surge by 14,000%, highlighting the growing black market and calls for stricter regulations

Essex sees shocking 14,000 per cent surge in illegal vape seizures

Essex has seen a staggering rise of over 14,000 per cent in illegal vape seizures in the past 12 months, a new report has revealed.

The shocking figures place the county just behind the London Borough of Hillingdon for total seizures - which leading industry expert, Ben Johnson, Founder of Riot Labs, attributes to its proximity to Heathrow airport.

Keep ReadingShow less
long-term effects of vaping on children UK study
Photo: iStock

Vaping: Government begins decade-long child health study

Britain will investigate the long-term effects of vaping on children as young as eight in a decade-long study of their health and behaviour, the government said on Wednesday.

The government has been cracking down on the rapid rise of vaping among children, with estimates showing a quarter of 11- to 15-year-olds have tried it out.

Keep ReadingShow less
United Wholesale Dominates 2025 Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards

Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards

Scottish Wholesale Association

Scottish wholesalers celebrated at annual awards

United Wholesale, JW Filshill and CJ Lang & Sons emerged as the stars of Scotland wholesale world in the recently held annual Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards.

Achievers, now in its 22nd year and organised by the Scottish Wholesale Association, recognises excellence across all sectors of the wholesale industry and the achievements that have made a difference to individuals, communities and businesses over the last year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Self-checkout tills at UK grocery store

Self-checkout at grocery store

iStock image

Debate heats up as community group calls to boycott self-checkouts

While a community group recently criticised self-service checkouts, saying automation lacks the "feel good factor", retailers maintain that rise in the trend is a response to changing consumer behaviour and the need of the hour.

Taking aim at self-checkouts in stores, Bridgwater Senior Citizens' Forum recently stated that such automation is replacing workers and damaging customer service.

Keep ReadingShow less