Cash-strapped small retailers set to get help reaching net-zero goals

(Source: Olena Rudo)

Retail and hospitality businesses will soon be able to draw on external expertise in their quest to reach net-zero emissions after the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) forged a partnership with clean-tech start-up Greener. 

The two parties will co-design a digital solution called Greener Business tailored to help small businesses understand and prioritise the steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra says the retail industry has a lot to contribute toward Australia’s sustainability efforts but many retailers face resource constraints when it comes to seeking help. The partnership will help them define and reach their sustainability objectives faster.

“With many small businesses in survival mode in recent years, there are limited resources in the sustainability space. There is also an enormous war for talent within sustainability roles and it is very challenging for smaller retailers to secure this expertise,” says Zahra. 

“Our partnership with Greener will provide support and knowledge to help small businesses outline the initiatives they can take as they progress their sustainability journey.

Greener co-founder Tom Ferrier says many small businesses across the country want to get greener but they either don’t know how to hire a sustainability manager to help, or they cannot afford one.

“Filling this gap between motivation and know-how is why we’ve worked with the ARA to create Greener Business. This proprietary platform does all the hard work for these businesses by helping them to build their own personalised pathway to zero emissions and waste,” he says.

The solution – billed as the first of its kind in Australia – draws on a library of best practice interventions to help retailers develop a customised action plan, rewards positive changes and builds consumer trust.

“It replaces the need to hire sustainability resources, and it brings these businesses new customers for their efforts,” says Ferrier. “Greener Business is reflective of our vision to create a new green economy, one where every dollar spent is carbon neutral to help end climate change.”

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