The future remains green despite financial downturn

Published on Sunday 21 September 2008 21:16

SUPERMARKETS and other major retailers are pressing ahead with green business practices despite the threat of recession, according to a report published today.

In the study, the Forum for the Future – a sustainable development charity – claims it makes "good business sense" to concentrate on the "green agenda". This is because of consumer pressure for greener goods, the rising cost of energy and other resources, and efficiency savings.

The charity highlights ten business areas – ranging from vision and governance through to products and services and the supply chain – in which companies can improve their sustainability.

The report holds up dozens of firms as leaders in their fields, including tea and coffee company Cafdirect for its "vision and strategy", Tesco for its "green" marketing and the John Lewis Partnership, for improving its supply chain. Other companies praised by the report included the Co-operative Food Group, for the definitions of its ethical policies, and Cadbury for reducing its packaging and cutting its carbon dioxide emissions.

The forum says it works with 130 businesses and public sector organisations to support sustainability in the workplace. Tom Berry, head of retail at the forum and the report's author, said: "Maintaining an emphasis on sustainable development in core business will be an important element of retail success – recession or not.

"Staying focused on sustainability in a downturn will only help to reinforce claims and dispel accusations of greenwash."

Ray Baker, director of corporate responsibility at B&Q-owner Kingfisher, which commissioned the report, said: "The global economic slowdown may cause some to question the benefits. In my mind, there is no question. During the past year, we have seen an enormous public shift in the attention given to environmental and social issues and our customers look to us for solutions to create more sustainable homes."

Peter Madden, chief executive of the forum, said: "Our partners are leading the way in building a sustainable, low-carbon economy because they understand it is good for their profits, good for their customers and good for the communities they serve."

The Forum for the Future was founded by Sara Parkin, a nurse from Edinburgh and former chairwoman of the UK Green Party, and Jonathon Porritt, the chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission.