Retailers' Environmental Action Programme
About REAP
The European Commission called - in its action plan of the Sustainable Consumption package (July 2008) - for the setting up of a Retail Forum.
The commerce sector went one step further to develop REAP, the Retailers' Environmental Action Programme. REAP is made up of the Retail Forum, co-chaired by DG Environment of the European Commission and retailers, and a Matrix of Environmental Action Points (MAP). The aim of the MAP is to encourage companies to publicly record their individual sustainability commitments. The Forum looks to taking forward the SCP/SIP Action Plan by better understanding the rational behind sustainable consumption and production.
REAP provides a platform for discussion that facilitates both dialogue with the Commission and other stakeholders as well as actions by retail members.
- The Forum aims to develop a better understanding of practical measures to promote sustainable consumption/production through the retail sector, existing barriers or gaps (e.g. institutional, administrative, infrastructural, science unclear, market failures etc.) and what public authorities and other stakeholders can do to address these.
- The matrix of action points (MAP) is an open, dynamic summary of retail actions and initiatives.
The Retail Forum
The Retail Forum:
- publishes issue papers, produced jointly by EuroCommerce, the European Retail Roundtable and the Commission, based on comments from stakeholders. Three issue papers are available to date: energy efficiency of stores, optimisation of distribution systems; marketing and effective communication.
- Organises 3 meetings yearly.
- Holds an annual event with the aim to report on progress of company commitments and a general evaluation of the Retail Forum.
- Raises awareness on the complexity of the supply chain among EU institutions and stakeholders.
EuroCommerce/ERRT have committed to develop in the framework of REAP and in response to the Environment Council conclusions of December 2008, a code of conduct which will be open to all retail association/retailers and REAP members.
Participation in the Forum is voluntary and attendance open to all those stakeholders concerned and who wish to make a concrete contribution to the discussion. Producers, suppliers, consumer and environmental organisations regularly participate on specific issues raised by the Forum.
