ICSC and European retailers work to reduce carbon emissions

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) has called for closer co-operation between retailers and property companies to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in stores and shopping centres across Europe.

Speaking at the first European Retail Forum in Brussels last month, ICSC Europe managing director, Ermine Amies, said: 'The property industry has an important contribution to make to EU carbon emission reduction targets. Our members, who include shopping centre owners, developers and managers, want to work with retailers and their staff to reduce environmental impact.'

Launched earlier this year, the European Retail Forum aims to reduce the environmental impact of the retail sector and promote more sustainable consumption patterns. It is open to all retailers involved in the EU-driven Retailers Environmental Action Plan. The Forum invited ICSC to take part in the work devoted to energy efficiency in stores.

Jaap Gillis, CEO of Dutch-based retail development company, Redevco and chair of the ICSC Sustainability Task Force, said: 'Successful reduction of CO2 emissions within shopping centres is all about measurement, improvement and habit.

Retailers and shopping centre management must share information on how their businesses are run, jointly develop recycling, waste management and energy efficiency systems which work for everyone within the shopping centre and incorporate them into the centre’s weekly management routine.'