Sustainability Committee
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Overview
RILA’s Sustainability Committee is composed of retail sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) executives focused on enabling more environmentally sustainable and circular business opportunities. Sustainability executives address issues that affect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the efficient and responsible use of natural resources, and product- and material-lifecycle value retention. They also manage responses to stakeholder requests for information on sustainability performance.
The retail industry sees increasing interest in internal and external-facing sustainability goal setting, as it works to improve measurement and management of environmental performance of retail operations and product lifecycles; to facilitate product transparency and traceability and to serve as a source for innovative solutions to other core retail business challenges.
The Sustainability Committee provides RILA members a forum for executives to benchmark and hear from experts regularly on rotating topics related to the implementation, management, and oversight of retail sustainability programs. The committee has two annual in-person meetings (one co-located with the Circularity conference), benchmarking surveys, and bi-monthly, focused benchmarking calls on members’ highest priority issues.
RILA members have full access to past meeting and call content, reports and benchmarking results which can be found below.
For more information on RILA's Sustainability Committee, contact Erin Hiatt, Vice President, CSR at erin.hiatt@rila.org.
Strategic Partners
Committee Materials
Climate and Sustainability
RILA is working with federal, state & local lawmakers to ensure legislative requirements are based upon sound environmental & market impact research.
2018 Retail Sustainability Benchmarking Summary Report
Retail Sustainability Committee 2018 benchmarking summary report.
2021 PROXY SEASON ESG LOOKBACK
In this blog, Sullivan & Cromwell discuss key takeaways for retail from the 2021 Proxy season.
External Stakeholder Communications Library
Resources are available to RILA committee members. Please login to access or contact us to learn more about membership.
2021 Sustainability Committee Meeting Recaps
2021 Sustainability Committee Meeting Recaps
A Recap of the 2022 Retailer Environmental Roundtable
Summary of sessions from RILA's Retailer Environmental Roundtable on September 13-14.
Carry Out Shopping Bag Compliance & Sustainability Survey
Peer survey on shopping bag regulation tracking, compliance, and sustainability approaches. (Members-only content. Please log-in to access).
2022 Sustainability Committee Call Summaries
Call Summaries for all 2022 Sustainability Committee Calls.
Extended Producer Responsibility Bills Gain Momentum
Overview of current EPR bills in the U.S. and a brief history of EPR programs that exist
July 2019 Energy Management Committee Survey Report
Peer survey on various submitted energy topics. (Members-only content. Please log-in to access).
Appropriate Corporate Governance to Managing Legal Risks
RILA & Morgan Lewis Webinar on identifying and managing legal risks through corporate governance structures and processes.
IRA Building Energy Efficiency Incentives for Retail
IRA energy efficiency incentives most relevant to the retail industry
July 2019 Zero Waste Committee Survey Report
Peer survey on various submitted waste topics. (Members-only content. Please log-in to access).
Board Oversight Over ESG Issues and Disclosures
Vinson & Elkins LLP on Board Oversight Over ESG Issues and Disclosures. (Oct. 2021)
July 2020 Sustainability and Zero Waste Survey
Peer survey on current sustainability and zero waste practices.
Building Energy Codes - Ashrae V. IECC
A quick reference tool for retailers on the two major energy code models in the U.S.
July 2021 Sustainable Packaging Strategies Survey Report
RILA summarized Sustainability Committee and Zero Waste Network member responses to a benchmarking survey on sustainable packaging strategies.
Collaborative Renewable Sourcing
FAQ on aggregated deals that allow buyers to participate in the renewables sourcing market
March 2020 RILA Retail Donations Survey
Peer survey on retail donation programs and challenges.
Takeaways and Resources for the Retail Industry
Several RILA members and Accenture attended COP26. Learn about key takeaways from the global event with a retail lens
Sustainability & Zero Waste Committee Survey Report
Peer survey on various submitted sustainability and waste topics. (Members-only content. Please log-in to access).
Corporate Sustainability Goals & Supply Chain Impacts
Talia Rudee from CDP and Bram Keteleer from P&G discuss SBT's and Scope 1, 2, and 3 for retail.
Retail GHG Targets Tracker
Detailed tracker of retail companies with emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and/or renewable energy goals.
Current ESG and Climate Disclosure Landscape
Webinar presentation by Austen Jensen, RILA and Catherine Clarkin, Sullivan and Cromwell on the Current ESG and Climate Disclosure Landscape
Retail Waste Targets Tracker
Detailed tracker of retail companies with waste, recycling and packaging goals.
Cut Costs, Increase Efficiency, and Reduce Emissions
Jennifer Wong from Convoy and Ron Guzzi from The Home Depot share insights on how to reduce empty miles.
DOE Appliance and Equipment Standards
Quick reference tool for retailers on DOE Appliance and Equipment Standards
E-commerce Fulfillment & Emissions Webinar
Deepam Mishra and Sid Jatia from Microsoft along with Professor Anne Goodchild discuss the interconnection between e-commerce and sustainability.
Energy Resiliency in the Supply Chain
Hear Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions along with Argonne Lab and Stewart & Stevenson discuss energy resiliency.
Engaging Suppliers on Renewable Energy Sourcing
Webinar with Walmart and Schneider Electric discussing a first-of-its-kind approach to supply chain engagement on renewables.
EPA HFC Technology Transitions Rulemaking
Beveridge & Diamond review EPA’s HFC Technology Transitions Rulemaking proposal and key questions that will inform joint retail association comments.
ESG 101 - Understanding the Landscape Webinar Recording
Webinar featuring Leaders Arena, BlackRock, former CalSTRS Director, and HIP Investor on the basics of ESG investor criteria and trends.
ESG Disclosure Bills Introduced to States
Overview of introduced, and previously enacted, ESG disclosure bills
ESG Peer Perspectives: Reporting in 2021
Hear from The Home Depot and AutoZone about their 2021 ESG reporting
ESG Reporting: Balancing Transparency & Risk
Recording from the ESG Reporting: Balancing Transparency & Risk Call
ESG Retail Reporting: RILA Committee Descriptions
This resource provides sample language for retailers to use to describe their engagement in RILA’s ESG-supporting committees and councils
ESG Roadmap: Opportunities & Potholes Along the Way Webinar
Webinar featuring Leaders Arena and AllianceBernstein on ideas for structuring and communicating an ESG program.
Investor Outreach on COVID-19 & Human Capital Management
RILA facilitated a discussion on ESG Fundamentals & Applications to Investor Outreach on COVID-19 and Human Capital Management
February 2023 Zero Waste Network Benchmarking Call
Textile Circularity
Global Procurement
FAQ discussing global procurement of renewables.
Incorporating Community Solar Into Corporate Sustainability
Overview of community solar markets + the tactics corporations are deploying to further their corporate sustainability strategies.
Incorporating Community Solar Into Corporate Sustainability
Overview of community solar markets + the tactics corporations are deploying to further their corporate sustainability strategies.
Lightbulb Efficiency Standards
A quick reference tool for retailers on U.S. lightbulb efficiency standards.
Making Defensible Green Claims Virtual Meeting Presentation
UL’s Catherine Sheehy on drivers for green claims; ecolabel types and verification; California-specific issues and overview of regulatory landscape
Managing Chemicals in Products Webinar
Webinar with a presentation by UL and Rite Aid discussing how and why retailers are responding to consumer demand for safer formulated products.
Maximizing Value of Unsold Inventory Webinar
Webinar featuring a panel of industry experts and thought leaders to discuss inventory management strategies, options and financial considerations.
November 2021 Climate Check-In: RILA Policy & Update
2021 Retailer Environmental Roundtable session with Brook Detterman (Beveridge & Diamond) and Austen Jensen (RILA).
Onsite Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
FAQ explaining the benefits and challenges of Onsite Power Purchase Agreements
Owned Onsite Systems
FAQ on owned, onsite renewable energy assets
Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Compliance
2021 Retailer Environmental Roundtable session with Garth Hickle (Signalfire Group).
Packaging Legislation on the Horizon
2021 Retailer Environmental Roundtable session with Lauren Doroghazi (Multistate)
Partnering with Your Suppliers for Hazardous Waste Reduction
2021 Retailer Environmental Roundtable session with Ashley Bell (UL) and Joe Donnelly (UL).
PFAS Fed & State Regulatory Developments & Implications
Crowell & Moring’s Warren Lehrenbaum presents on PFAS developments, with a focus on recent FDA actions affecting “short chain” chemistries
Reducing Waste & Increasing Revenue
Hear from PreZero and Recurate how to optimize reverse logistics and approach building circular systems through resale.
Renewable Energy Credits (REC)
FAQ on Renewable Energy Credits (REC)
Resilient Management in the Age of Responsible Retail
Recording from the Resilient Management in the Age of Responsible Retail call
Retail GHG Emissions Factors, Data & Methodology
Summary of sources for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions factors, data, and methodology relevant to retailers who are developing a company GHG inventory.
SASB for Retail
In this webinar Taylor Reed and Neil Stewart from SASB discuss how SASB applies to retail.
How Retailers are Setting & Implementing Targets Webinar
Webinar featuring CDP and CVS Health on Science-Based Targets (SBTs) and Scope 3 emissions reduction approaches.
Scope 1 & 2 GHG Emissions Tracking and Data Collection
Melinda Wolfe and Olivia Hill of Schneider Electric share leading practices for collecting and estimating Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions data.
Serving the Conscious Consumer through Digital Platforms
Recording from the Serving the Conscious Consumer through Digital Platforms call
Setting and Meeting Sustainable Packaging Goals
RILA, Kim Carswell and Dr. Sandeep Kulkarni discussed best practices for setting and meeting sustainable packaging goals.
State Energy Efficiency & Building Natural Gas Laws/Codes
A quick reference tool for retailers on the energy efficiency laws and codes in the U.S.
Sustainable Fleets: Transportation + Sustainability Series
eIQ Mobility, IKEA, and Beveridge & Diamond discuss sustainable fleets.
Sustainable Packaging Innovations
2021 Retailer Environmental Roundtable session with Kate Barry (Chainalytics), Ann Meitz (3M), and Dennis Raffa (CHEP).
Sustainable Packaging Webinar Recording
Sustainable Packaging Coalition & Walmart on industry initiatives to improve packaging sustainability.(Members-only. Please log-in to access).
Sustainable Protective Packaging Innovation Challenge
Open innovation challenge webinar for startups & entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations in protective packaging materials.
TCFD for Retail
In this webinar Curtis Ravenel from TCFD and Ran Tao with Estee Lauder Companies discuss how TCFD applies to retail.
Textile Circularity: The Missing Links Webinar
Discussion with industry experts on what’s still needed to make meaningful progress towards textile circularity.
The Value of Diversity Certifications Webinar
Learn about the landscape of supplier diversity groups from first-hand experts.
Third Party Risk Management Webinar
Daniel Click, Greg Matthews & Mitushi Pitti from KPMG shared findings from KPMG's Global Third Party Risk Management Outlook 2020 Report Survey
Top Trends for 2022 (Compliance Considerations)
2021 Retailer Environmental Roundtable Session with Jay Kairam (Walmart), Ron Jarvis (The Home Depot), and Andy Dabydeen (Canadian Tire).
Upstream Innovation - Packaging Solutions
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation discusses what upstream innovation is and how it applies to key circular economy strategies, focused on reuse. Guest presentations by Walmart, Walgreens, and Ulta Beauty
Using Weather & Climate Data to Advance Retail
Using Weather & Climate Data to Advance Retail Sustainability, Asset Protection and Operational Resilience Webinar
Validating ESG Disclosure Data
Presentation by Hugh Cherne, Associate Director, Best Buy & Ty Colman, Chief Operating Officer, Optera, on Validating ESG Disclosure Data.
Sustainability Committee Meeting at LINK24
- Feb 26, 2024
- Dallas, TX
Meeting of the members of RILA's Sustainability Committee. Join us for the Sustainability Committee meeting in Dallas, TX at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center on February 26th, co-located with LINK 2024: Retail Supply Chain Conference, to help kickoff the conference's transportation emissions content.
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Join TodayCorporate Clean Energy Procurement Index 2020
Guide to determine states with favorable policy conditions and best practices to advance policies enabling renewables development.
Download ReportLatest Sustainability / Environment Insights
Reducing Emissions a Focus for Retailers in Ocean Shipping
- By [Jess Dankert, Erin Hiatt]
- 07/20/2023
2022 Election Impact on ESG Issues
- By [Austen Jensen]
- 12/06/2022
All-Star Lineup Announced for LINK2023
- By [Jess Dankert]
- 12/01/2022
2022 Proxy Season ESG Lookback
- 11/21/2022
How the IRA Can Help Retailers Meet ESG Goals
- By [Hana Greenberg]
- 11/03/2022
RILA, FMI Launch Sustainable Packaging Clearinghouse
- By [Kaela Martins, Molly Auten]
- 08/11/2022