Many retail companies are still downplaying climate change and its far-reaching business impacts. More-extreme weather events impacting product supply, regulatory changes effecting profitability and growing global demand for climate-friendly technologies and products are just a few of the ways that climate change will ripple across the retail sectors of the economy. Carbon legislation is driving the cost of high emissions electricity upwards which in turn reduces retailer’s profitability. Competition is more intense than ever and retailers with high carbon emissions are at a disadvantage.

Opportunities

Leaders like Wal-Mart have shown that one can increase ones productivity and reduce emissions significantly through efficiencies. They are saving 25% or $50M over the next three years on fuel costs. Other leading retailers like Tesco’s are putting pressure on their suppliers to account for carbon emissions and preferring products if they are carbon neutral. Surveys have show time and again that consumers will prefer products that are transparent in their carbon emissions. Internally energy efficiencies are driving higher profitability and ensuring retailers are less susceptible to electricity rises. Listed companies are communicating their emissions reduction strategy clearly to their investors and creating new opportunities.
             

GCX Services: What we can do 

Efficiencies – GCX will assess your companies’ carbon emissions through a carbon footprint and a business case energy efficiency audit
The next step is to reduce your carbon emissions by working with you to set targets and budgets and then implement reductions and achieve cost cutting goals. Reductions include Education campaigns to ensure that your employees support internal initiatives. GCX will also monitor your emissions on an ongoing basis. As you embark on the journey to become a low carbon emission business you can gain significant marketing and PR traction and differentiate your brand as a climate change leader.

Supplier Efficiencies – GCX will work with your suppliers to help them to become low carbon emissions companies and in so doing enhance you productivity, reputation and brand as a low carbon emissions retail company.

Legislation and Reputation – GCX will determine the impact of legislation on your business and how best to respond to ensure that your profitability is not impacted. This includes determining the reputation risks exposed by being associated with high carbon emissions businesses.

Adaptation - Adaptation is the adjustment in systems in response to actual or expected climatic events or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. GCX will look carefully at the impact that climate change will have on your business including your supply chain. Our specialists will show you the risks inherent in your business model and help to implement ways to reduce this risk.