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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


Sustainable Clothing Roadmap

Sustainable Clothing Roadmap

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/06/02/pb...

The Sustainable Clothing Roadmap is a UK government scheme launched in 2007 to make fashion less environmentally damaging and more sustainable. This initiative involves over 200 organisations, including many high street retailers who have committed to a number of actions related to fair-trade, organic certification, and recycling.
Brands for Life

Brands for Life

http://www.life.aim.be/

The branded goods industry aims to ensure the continual improvement of the quality of life enjoyed by consumers, employees and the communities in which they operate. The organization believes that the branded goods industry can lead in the following ways: develop and market innovative goods and services that have a more sustainable life-cycle; further optimize the economic and environmental efficiency as well as the social impact of current products and activities; and communicate their efforts on sustainable development based on proven science. Brands can play a role in shaping consumer behaviour towards more sustainable choices.
Reducing the Impact of Textiles on the Environment

Reducing the Impact of Textiles on the Environment

http://www.ritegroup.org/

Formed in 2007, this industry association endeavours to reduce the environmental impact of textiles throughout the global supply chain by providing guidance on best practices. Additionally, the associations hosts an annual conference addressing the potential benefits of, and barriers to, producing sustainable textiles and clothing.
Biodiversity and Wine Initiative

Biodiversity and Wine Initiative

http://www.wwf.org.za/what_we_do/outstanding_place...

Partnership between the South African wine industry and the conservation sector.  The goals are to minimise the further loss of threatened natural habitat and to contribute to sustainable wine production through the adoption of biodiversity guidelines. Brand differentiation based on a proactive stance on biodiversity is a feature of the initiative.
ECOCERT

ECOCERT

http://www.ecocert.com/en

France-based international organic certification organisation that primarily certifies food and food products, but also cosmetics and perfumes. They promote the use of natural substances and provide standards for natural and organic cosmetics which includes those related to waste and pollution, as well as the protection of natural habitats and threatened species.

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Retail

Case studies
Tools and Mechanisms