RE: FOREWORD
Taking responsibility
“Our goal is a delightfully diverse, safe, healthy and just world, with clean air, water, soil and power – economically, equitably, ecologically and elegantly enjoyed,” William McDonough, the architect and ‘Cradle to Cradle’ co-author with this issue’s key interview subject, Michael Braungart said at a 2005 TED conference.
Eight years on, the buds of this vision are rearing their heads but the fruits of labour are yet to emerge. While the end vision implies total global cooperation, from the individual to the corporate giant, retailers as the most visible link in a highly complex supply chain, arguably have
the greatest responsibility to help accelerate this.
Retailers could be the world’s environmental stewards – choosing only to work with ethical suppliers, reduce energy, water and carbon footprints and purchase only sustainably sourced products which create seismic shifts in traditional consumption and production patterns.
The possibilities for improvement are endless. However, while for many retailers the sustainability wheels are already in motion, some are way off . Well-known incidents that came to light in recent months highlighted a glaring lack of visibility in some supply chains, exposing the horrors of not keeping a tighter rein. Shocking though these events were, the ramifi cations have been positive and clearly long overdue. With the help of new legislation and an increasing sense of corporate responsibility, much of the retail sector has been prompted to take a long hard look at the way it does business. Technology providers of innovative supply chain solutions, interestingly, have noted an increase in demand from retailers in the last three months alone. Hopefully any improvements to be made in the future will not arise off the back of a scandal or accident, they will be the result of deeply pursued sustainability strategies – for the consumer, the environment, the workforce and commercial success.
I hope you enjoy our latest issue,
Charlotte Owen Editor
Tel: 020 7633 4512 Email:
charlotte.o@retailenvironment.co.uk
Amy North Features writer Tel: 020 7633 4507
Email:
amy.n@retailenvironment.co.uk
Katie Johnson Production editor Tel: 020 7633 4503
Email:
katie.j@retailenvironment.co.uk
Steve Eminton Publishing director Tel: 020 7633 4515 Email:
steve.e@retailenvironment.co.uk
Rob Mowat Commercial director Tel 020 7633 4514 Email:
rob.m@retailenvironment.couk
Danny Henderson Sales manager Tel: 020 7633 4521
Email:
danny.h@retailenvironment.co.uk
Retail Environment is published by: Environment Media Group Elizabeth House 39 York Road London SE1 7NQ
Environment Media Group - Registered in England & Wales No. 03959158
Printed on FSC certifi ed paper
Printed by Headley Brothers Limited ISSN 2052-6539
Subscriptions: 01442 820580, includes 11 issues of the magazine per year
Subscribe at:
www.retailenvironment.co.uk
Charlotte Owen Editor
JUNE 2013 | RETAIL ENVIRONMENT 3
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