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Retail

About this sector

Customers are increasingly demanding products that are more efficient; last longer and are more environmentally friendly. As the retail sector sells a variety of products and multiple materials are used and supply chains are huge and impacts and decencies on biodiversity are important.


Impacts

  • Land conversion and degradation from building and using retail stores and warehouses.
  • Over-harvesting of minerals and biological material used in products
  • Pollution, excessive water use and CO2 release from the production and transport of products.

Opportunities/Risks

  • Consumer trends: The emerging trend for sustainable products creates opportunities
  • Supply: Environmental degradation will compromise the supply and productivity of natural fibres and materials.
  • New designs: Biodiversity can provide inspiration for new and novel materials and designs.

Case Studies


Biodiversity monitoring

Biodiversity monitoring

Nestlé is a multinational packaged foods company founded in 1922 and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, with a market capitalization of over $93 billion Canadian. It employs approximately 3,500 people in Canada who work in the company’s more than 20 facilities, including manufacturing, sales, and distribution centers. Nestlé Waters Canada is Canada’s largest manufacturer and distributor of bottled water and operates 2 bottling plants across Canada. Other than bottled water, Nestlé product lines include coffee, juice, ice cream, baby food/formula, healthcare nutrition, pet care, confectionery and pharmaceuticals.


Tools and Mechanisms


The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

http://www.ecotourism.org

TIES promotes the development of ecotourism by providing guidelines, standards, training, technical assistance, research, and publications on sustainable ecotourism. TIES' global network of ecotourism professionals and travelers contributes to making tourism a viable tool for conservation, the protection of bio-cultural diversity, and sustainable community development.
Uganda BioTrade

Uganda BioTrade

http://www.ugandaexportsonline.com/biotrade/

The Uganda BioTrade Programme was designed to facilitate and promote trade in biological goods and services.  Increased trade positively affects employment creation, the sustainable use of Uganda’s natural resources, and contributes to poverty alleviation.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

http://www.ebrd.com/enviro

The EBRD is an international financial institution that supports projects in 30 countries from central Europe to central Asia. Investing primarily in private sector clients whose needs cannot be fully met by the market, the Bank promotes entrepreneurship and fosters transition towards open and democratic market economies.
Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT)

Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT)

http://www.ethicalbiotrade.org/

The Union for Ethical Biotrade is a non-profit association that promotes the “Sourcing with Respect” of ingredients that come from native biodiversity. Members commit to gradually ensuring that their sourcing practices promote the conservation of biodiversity, respect traditional knowledge and assure the equitable sharing of benefits all along the supply chain. As part of its strategic plan the UEBT targets key economic sectors such as the cosmetics, health, and beauty industry, and to a lesser extent the food industry.
Öko-Tex Standard 100

Öko-Tex Standard 100

http://www.oeko-tex.com/OekoTex100_PUBLIC/index.as...

The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 for textile products provides a scientifically-founded evaluation standard for the human ecological safety of textiles, from the raw material to the finished product, against the background of the globalized and extremely fragmented nature of the textile manufacturing chain.

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Retail

Case studies
Tools and Mechanisms