Retail supply chains are under threat from the accelerating loss of nature and biodiversity, as it is revealed that more than three quarters of retailers (76%) have not set any targets on protecting nature.
The warning comes from the British Retail Consortium flagship report, Planning for Nature, as the trade body calls on retailers to “urgently address” the issue and safeguard supply chain resilience.
The report marks the beginning of the industry’s journey to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, with a target of full recovery by 2050.
It also highlights early signs of progess: nearly a third (29%) of retailers are developing public commitments, just under a quarter (24%) are starting to engage with suppliers on nature and 25% say nature is a top priority for the year ahead. Nearly a third (29%) are currently working on developing a nature and biodiversity strategy.
Driving change
Despite these good intentions, more than half of retailers (52%) have not yet made any public commitments on nature and two-thirds (67%) lack a data led-strategy. The BRC attributes this to barriers such as budget constraints, data gathering challenges, and the difficulty of ensuring supplier action.
”Despite the huge costs and pressures in supply chains, it is imperative that we maintain progress to protect and restore our environment,” said BRC director of food and sustainability Andrew Opie.
Over the coming year, retailers will focus on creating workable nature policies, establishing standardised metrics, improving supplier engagement, and building the business case for nature.
The government is also set to publish its revised Environment Improvement Plans (EIP25), which will set out a clear, prioritised roadmap for environmental outcomes such as reducing waste, planting more trees, improving air quality and halting species decline.
“It is great to see such a number and variety of UK retailers stepping up to their responsibilities, working with their suppliers to make practical changes to reduce our impact on the environment, all the while maintaining affordability and choice for customers,” added Opie.
”We look forward to seeing the government’s revised Environment Improvement Plans, and working closely with them and retailers to make further progress in this critical area.”
By tracking progress and holding retailers to account, the report aims to drive positive change across the industry. The BRC said it would continue to monitor developments and publish annual updates.
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