Recent ESG Updates
- Calgary council passes single-use bylaw
The City of Calgary has passed its single-use bylaw consistent with some other jurisdictions that ban all types of plastic check-stand bags and put a minimum fee on … Continued - Canada to attend upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP27)
Led by the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, a Canadian delegation will be heading to Egypt from November 6-18, 2022 to participate in the … Continued - Decarbonizing the grocery sector
According to McKinsey, approximately 7% of an average grocer’s emissions come from scope 1 (direct emissions from a grocer’s operations) and scope 2 (emissions associated with purchased electricity … Continued - Apparel, durable goods and consumer electronics are most vulnerable retail segments to climate risk
According to a recent article from Fitch Ratings, apparel and durable goods and consumer electronics (DGCE) have been identified as the retail segments most vulnerable to climate risk, … Continued - ESG frameworks consolidate towards global standardization
In recent years, the number of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting frameworks and standards has grown substantially leading to confusion and inconsistent disclosure requirements in the market … Continued
Tools and resources
Overview of ESG ratings and rankings
There is growing interest from investors, regulators, employees and customers on corporate ESG performance. Many stakeholders are now turning to rating agencies to help evaluate companies and identify any issues that may pose financial, legal, supply chain or reputational risk. In recognition of this, RCC has prepared an overview webpage, including fundamentals, why ESG is relevant, and different ways retailers can help improve scores.
Overview of ISSB exposure drafts
The proposed International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards, including the General Requirements Exposure Draft and the Climate-related Disclosures Exposure Draft, provide for significantly more sustainability-related disclosure requirements than the current proposal from the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA). To help members better understand these proposed requirements, RCC has prepared an overview webpage.
RCC Webinar: Sustainable Impact Through Partner Collaboration
As retailers continue to invest in sustainable development, partner collaboration for sustainable procurement becomes increasingly critical for end-to-end visibility on footprint and impact. This 2022 panel discussion looked at the foundation and benefits of partner collaboration in working towards sustainability goals including the importance of sustainable procurement, working towards collaborative goals, and the most valuable tools for education and measurement of success.
Gracee Shorter presented Ecovadis’ latest insights from the 2022 Impact Report which promotes a greater understanding of sustainable impact, what it is, and how it is measured and illuminates how the network is helping drive impact at scale.
Member committee
ESG & Climate Action Committee
Governments around the world, including Canada’s federal government, are participating in global efforts to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5C. Moreover, ESG reporting frameworks and rating agencies have emerged as an important area for corporates to both monitor and inform. This committee is looking to help facilitate best practice sharing, monitor policies/trends, explore collaborative opportunities and develop related resources. (Meets bi-monthly)
Contact Kelsey Morden, Senior Manager, Sustainability Programs, at kmorden@retailcouncil.org, for questions or additional information.