BRC claims retailers can push climate issue

by Jemima Bokaie, Marketing 07-May-08

The retail industry is better-placed than the government to encourage consumers to help tackle climate change, according to the director-general of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Stephen Robertson.

Speaking at a BRC parliamentary reception last week, Robertson said
retailers are in a good position to lead the climate-change movement
because they are able to promote the message to a big audience of

consumers. 'Not even the government can claim to have such a unique and

wide relationship with Britain,' he said.

One in nine workers in the UK is employed in the retail industry,
according to the BRC, and Robertson urged brands in the sector to train
their employees to act as 'climate-change ambassadors'.

The BRC last week launched a climate-change pledge to help the industry
reduce the environmental impact its businesses have.

Sixteen retailers have signed up to the pledge, including Argos, Marks &
Spencer, Mothercare and The Body Shop.