The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has released its Net Zero Roadmap for the Australian retail sector.
The Roadmap sets out a list of actions retailers can take to begin or further their efforts towards net-zero.
"Once again, we are all in this together and the ARA is proud to unite the sector behind a common vision for change," ARA CEO Paul Zahra said.
"With the transition to net-zero, it is no longer ‘if’ but ‘when and how’ we can achieve our goals and it’s clear that business has a critical role to play alongside governments in driving the change we need to see.
"Many of our members are already global leaders in this space and have generously shared their insights in the creation of this roadmap," he said.
The suggested actions retailers can take to work towards net-zero include:
- Increasing the quantity and quality of emissions data, to enable data-driven decisions
- Building and operating low-emissions, energy efficient stores, warehouses and offices powered by 100% renewable energy
- Continuing to improve fuel efficiency and supporting the transition to electric and hydrogen vehicles, for low-carbon logistics
- Sourcing products and raw materials in a manner that minimises impacts on the environment and natural resources, and
- Embracing the circular economy, working with suppliers to produce more with less, and supporting consumers in the transition to more sustainable consumption.
The launch of the Roadmap sees the ARA become one of the first retail trade associations globally to join the UN-backed 'Race to Zero Accelerator Pledge.'
"The ARA is working closely with our global alliances and counterparts," Zahra added.
"Our roadmap has been benchmarked against the foundational work that our colleagues at the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have completed over the past two years in developing their Climate Action Roadmap.
"While Australian retailers have some different challenges to our peers in the UK, there are significant similarities, so the framework is a great model for us to build upon.
"There is no doubt that the transition to net-zero emissions will be complex and challenging.
"But, with less than 5% of large retailers globally having made commitments to address climate change, it's important that we remove the barriers to retailers taking action and use the scale of our sector to drive meaningful change," he said
Additionally, as technology and government policy develops, the ARA will update its advice, Zahra said.
"This is a living document, and one we will review and update each year as technologies, the market opportunities and government requirements evolve.
"While we don’t yet have all the answers, the ARA’s roadmap is designed to make it easier for our members and the Australian retail sector to navigate the journey ahead," he said.