NRF Research

The Carbon Footprint of Retail Products

A review of greenhouse gas emissions hotspots and reduction levers for consumer decision-making
February 16, 2023

The Carbon Footprint of Retail Products

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Retailers face increasing supply chain disruptions and risks associated with a changing climate, and many are taking action to curb emissions from their operations and supply chains. The aim of this report is to review literature and studies on the life cycles of a broad range of retail products and summarize the major GHG emissions hotspots.

A hotspot is an area with a major contribution to a product’s GHG emissions and as a result typically is an important opportunity to reduce GHG emissions. This report does not set out to outline all possible ways to reduce all GHG emissions sources for retail products, but instead focuses on the main hotspots and the consumer connection to these and how they can contribute to GHG emission reduction through their behaviors and decisions.