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TORONTO/CNW/ - The retail industry is a significant part of
the Canadian economy with more than 1.2 billion square feet of
space and sales of $425 billion in 2008. According to Greening
Retail, an initiative lead by the Toronto and Region
Conservation (TRCA), Canadian retailers and their suppliers are
responsible for more than 40 million tonnes of carbon emissions
annually, six million tones of waste, and millions of kilometers
travelled by trucks from around the world to every corner in
Canada. If just five per cent of retailers and their suppliers
reduce energy use by 10 per cent, the estimated energy savings
in one year would be equivalent to the energy required to power
half a million homes and would result in a reduction of 1.4
million tonnes of greenhouse gases, the equivalent of removing
233,000 cars from the road for a year.
Greening Retail's new research report Best Environmental
Practices From Around the World 2009, conducted by Evans and
Company Consultants, and redesigned website were launched today.
The report examines 15 of the top best-practice environmental
retail leaders in the world, identifying their strategies and
tactics in detail and outlining the ROI that can come from
sustainable practices.
Here are some key findings from the study:
- Grocery store chains are the earliest adopters of
environmental best practices,
followed by department stores and other large space users,
and then specialty stores
- Environmental strategy needs to fit the company size and
structure
- Top three ROI action points include: Appointing champions
throughout the organization, reducing energy and reducing waste
- 13 of 15 companies produced a CSR report
- Over 80 per cent of the companies measure and track energy
usage, waste produced and diverted, CO2 emissions,
transportation and water usage
"We found that there is strong support for environmental
programs from leading Canadian retailers but they still face
challenges when it comes to adopting best practices due to the
lack of programs, research or identified returns on investments
specifically for the retail sector," said Bernie McIntyre,
Manager Community Transformation Programs, Toronto and Region
Conservation and project lead for the Greening Retail
initiative. "The Greening Retail Program aims to fill the
information gap for the industry. Access to relevant and
practical data and best practices is critical for retailers to
reduce their environmental footprint, save money and improve
their bottom line."
The 2009 study and redesigned website will be showcased at the
International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc (ICSC) Canadian
Convention Deal Making and Trade Expo, Sept. 21-23 at the Metro
Toronto Convention Centre (Toronto and Region Conservation's
exhibit: booth G3). The redesigned website will support the
study, contain research results and include tools such as: a
searchable database of case studies covering environmental
policies and governance; energy conservation; green energy;
solid waste; water use; transportation; green products; supply
chain/purchasing; staff training; customer education and
marketing; corporate social responsibility reporting; benchmarks
and green sites. The site also hosts implementation resources in
14 categories of environmental best practices. A Greening Retail
Blog and Forum are also in the works for retailers to interact
with experts.
"Through the study we were able learn what made the world's top
environmental retailers successful in greening their business,"
said McIntyre. "We've taken this information and turned it into
a useful report and integrated case studies and other findings
into the website. We hope it will become an important resource
for the industry and help the retail sector with its green
transformation."
About Greening Retail
Developed by Toronto and Region Conservation in 2008, Greening
Retail undertakes research, develops resources and programs, and
facilitates demonstration projects to help retailers implement
environmental best practices. Greening Retail works in
partnership with sector leaders, government agencies and other
organizations to provide retailers with the strategies and tools
they need in order to take action. Program partners include: Ted
Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, Centre for the
Study of Commercial Activity, Ryerson University, Retail Council
of Canada, ESADE in Spain, University of Stirling, Hitotsubashi
University, Evans & Company Consultants Inc., University of
Metz, Sustainable Retailing Consortium, and the National Retail
Federation. Sponsors includes Smart!Centres and Environment
Canada. For more information go to
www.greeningretail.ca
Toronto and Region Conservation
With over 50 years of experience, Toronto and Region
Conservation (TRCA) helps people understand, enjoy and
look-after the natural environment. Our vision is for The Living
City(R), where human settlement can flourish forever as part of
nature's beauty and diversity. For more information, call
416-661-6600 or visit us at www.trca.on.ca
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