The targets

At the European Union level some stringent climate change targets and objectives have been set. These include:

• 20% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020 (based on 1990 levels);
• Improving energy efficiency by 20% by 2020;
• Minimum energy efficiency requirements for energy using equipment (computers, televisions, office lighting, refrigerators);
• Raising energy savings awareness (which includes improved labelling, use of energy efficient technologies and communicating this through the supply chain and to consumers).

The UK Government is aware of these targets and objectives. For some time now it has been feeling its way towards necessary UK actions. The 2007 Energy White Paper: Meeting the Energy Challenge, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target 2008-2011 consultation (CERT) and the Waste Strategy for England 2007 (Defra) have all emerged in recent months. The jury may still be out regarding the effectiveness of what has been proposed, but the Government's intention is clear. The UK will be taking the climate change threat seriously. But the responsibility for addressing this threat is not the Government's alone. The answer will never come solely from 'top down' government and/or legislative solutions, however well intentioned or well thought through these solutions may be. All of us have our parts to play. This includes retailers and trade associations like retra.

The retailer's role

What part can retailers play? The independent retailers are experts at influencing customer behaviour. The success of their efforts will depend, however, on active cooperation of their employees, customers and suppliers. Retailers will have to promote sustainability issues to their employees. As far as consumers are concerned, they will have to do more – to improve information and customer awareness of the climate change and of practical steps that can be taken. Retailers must also work with their suppliers to promote energy efficient appliances and to address sustainable product stewardship and sourcing practices.

The agenda for retra

What is retra's role? This cannot, of course, be divorced from the retailer's role. There is, however, a wider context within which retra will have to act. Leading industry associations like retra are going to have to become more thoughtful and more strategic in their responses to the developing climate change agenda. That traditional defensive style of stakeholder dialogue, where 'threats' are what the trade association reacts to, will not be sufficient in the future. In its place retra will have to become a more proactive and collaborative champion of the changes that are necessary to ensure the long-term future of the electrical retail sector and the independents' position within it.

Because it is better for trade associations to first 'under promise' and then 'over deliver' (rather than the other way round), retra is taking some modest steps. We will be increasing our consultation responses and our discussions, in connection with the climate change agenda as it develops. We also believe in industry engagement and joined up solutions. That is why retra is supporting Amdea's Time to Go campaign to encourage the early replacement of less energy efficient domestic appliances in the UK.

We also agree with Intellect that there is a need to counter the misinformation that currently exists regarding the energy efficiency of white goods. We look forward to the report that Intellect is currently preparing in connection with this matter. There is both an opportunity and a need for retailers, suppliers and the organisations that represent them to promote positive messages not only about what we have done, but also about what we are going to do.

mark.hayward@retra.co.uk