Brussels, 02/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - How can more environmentally sustainable consumption patterns be driven forward? That is the question on which the Retail Forum will be reflecting when it is launched by the European Commission and the European retail trade sector at the Committee of the Regions on Tuesday 3 March.
The Forum aims to contribute to a better understanding of the practical measures needed to promote sustainable consumption and production. Over time, the result should be greater availability of environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient products in the shops and better information to consumers on how to use products in the most ecological way (for example, washing clothes at low water temperature). Participants will share best practice, discuss how to promote sustainable consumption and tackle barriers that hinder it, and obtain scientific information from relevant bodies to help evaluate environmentally sound products, the Commission states in a press release. All retailers taking part at the REAP (Retailers' Environmental Action Plan) may join the Forum, which already has 24 members (20 companies and 4 federations). “Retailers can make a major contribution to the achievement of more sustainable consumption and production patterns through the products they choose to stock and promote”, explains Stavros Dimas, Environment Commissioner. The same point of view is expressed by the commissioner for consumer protection, Meglena Kuneva, who says: “If we really want consumers to buy green, the sustainable choice must be an easy choice. Product information must be clear, and sustainable products must not be a luxury option”. Representatives of the retail sector express good intentions. Pierre-Olivier Beckers, President and CEO of the Delhaize group representing the European Retail Round Table (ERRT), takes the view: “Retailers are focusing more and more on sustainability not only because it is the right thing to do but also because our customers - and our stakeholders - demand it. There is no alternative”. Xavier Durieu, Secretary General of EuroCommerce, says: “The winner in this exercise will undoubtedly be consumers and, in the long term, society at large”. For more ample information see the DG Environment website at: http://www.ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/escp_en.htm . (A.B./transl.jl)