The retail sector launches a climate protection policy offensive

On 17 April, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) hosted the kick-off event of the nationwide campaign with State Secretary for the Environment Jochen Flasbarth.

The German retail sector is leading the way in climate policy. With the "Climate Protection Policy Offensive" from the Trade Association Germany (HDE), retailers today receive numerous information and implementation tools for increased climate protection policy in retail. The kick-off event was held today at the Federal Environment Ministry with State Secretary of the Environment Jochen Flasbarth.

Flasbarth: " Be it supermarket chains, butchers or men's outfitters – climate protection policy potentials are present in almost every retail company. Investments in energy saving or resource efficiency are often good business for retailers. This project will help many retailers on their way to better climate protection measures."

The central component of the HDE climate protection offensive is the online portal, at www.hde-klimaschutzoffensive.de. As of today, retail partners can download practical guides and view best practice examples. A tour of the virtual shopping street shows which energy efficiency measures are possible and worthwhile. In order to reach retailers directly, various workshops, trade fairs and events will also take place.

The climate policy offensive by retailers is an initiative of the HDE and adelphi with the aim of avoiding the greenhouse gas CO₂ in the retail trade. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) within the framework of the "National Climate Protection Initiative" (NKI), with a duration of three years. The core objectives of the climate protection policy offensive are:

• Strengthening competitive advantages for retailers through climate protection policy measures
• Simplifying the practical implementation of energy saving measures
• Informing consumers and encouraging them to make climate-friendly purchases

The climate protection offensive is aimed primarily at small and medium-sized retailers who, in addition to their daily business, do not always have the ability to deal with energy-saving measures or climate protection policy. With this website, the practical information on offer, real success stories, and useful workshops and events throughout Germany, we want to point out the competitive advantages that can be achieved with simple and cost-free measures.