European retailers sign up to green code of conduct

A group of Europe's leading retailers, including Tesco and French giant Carrefour, yesterday signed up to a new voluntary code of conduct designed to reduce the sector's environmental footprint.

The Retail Environmental Sustainability Code was published yesterday at an event in Brussels to mark the first anniversary of the EU-backed Retail Forum for Sustainability.

Over 20 major retailers and retail associations have signed up to the code of conduct, which sets out guidelines for ensuring the sustainable sourcing of environmentally sensitive products, such as timber and fish, and also calls on signatories to work to improve the resource efficiency of their own operations through improved stores, transport networks and waste management.

The code of conduct is entirely voluntary, although those signing up to the initiative are required to report on their progress against the various elements of the code on an annual basis.

Speaking at yesterday's event, European environment commissioner Janez Potočnik hailed the code of conduct as an "important milestone" in the development of a more sustainable retail industry.

"It addresses the main areas of environmental concern, such as sourcing, waste management, resource efficiency and communication to customers," he added. "By signing up to this code of conduct, retailers are showing that they care about the impacts their businesses have on the environment and are taking action to reduce them."

Dr. Rainhardt von Leoprechting, vice-president and head of corporate relations of Metro Group and EuroCommerce president, said that the code highlighted the crucial role retailers had to play in driving environmental best practices across the entire economy.

"The retail sector is not only a huge player in the European economy, generating 13 per cent of GDP, it is also the link between industry and millions of consumers," he said. "In this pivotal role we can work with all actors along the supply chain to develop new sustainable solutions."