The British Retail consortium (BRC) has said that retailers must urgently address the accelerating loss of nature and biodiversity or risk jeopardising supply chain resilience.

A BRC report Planning for Nature reveals that three quarters (76 per cent) of retailers have no targets on protecting nature. The report marks the beginning of the industry’s journey in halting and reversing nature loss by 2030 and achieving full recovery by 2050.

But it also recognises the scale of the challenge ahead. Half of retailers (52 per cent) are yet to make any public commitments on nature, and two thirds (67 per cent) lack a data led strategy. This is due to barriers such as budget constraints, data gathering, and ensuring suppliers take action.

Over the next year, retailers, with support from the BRC, will focus on creating workable nature policies, establishing standardised metrics, improving supplier engagement, and building the business case for nature. The Government is also set to publish their revised Environment Improvement Plans, which will be crucial for progress.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the BRC, said: “Despite the huge costs and pressures in supply chains, it is imperative that we maintain progress to protect and restore our environment. It is great to see such a number and variety of UK retailers stepping up to their responsibilities, working with their suppliers to make practical changes to reduce our impact on the environment, all the while maintaining affordability and choice for customers. We look forward to seeing the Government’s revised Environment Improvement Plans and working closely with them and retailers to make further progress in this critical area.”

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