Australian consumers are becoming more environmentally conservative as they gain awareness of the importance of adopting environmentally friendly habits that will affect future generations, according to a speaker at next week's National Retail Forum.

“Children tend to drive the passion. Once parents are exposed to what’s really going on they are a lot more motivated to adopt sustainable practices,” said Rob Cawthorne, MD of the Carbon Reduction Institute.

Speaking on sustainability at next week’s National Retail Forum at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Cawthorne believes consumers are starting to learn more about the effects of their carbon footprint. He says the business-to-business world is setting the path, but consumers are following suit.

“Consumers are definitely getting on board – an example lies in how successful carbon offset programs have been with discount airlines. Social and economic demographics definitely play a part at this stage.”

Appearing alongside Pierce Cody, Director, Macro Wholefoods and Richard Evans, Executive Director, Australian Retailers Association, Cawthorne will participate in Business of Sustainability – Issues for Retail, a panel discussion set to address the impact of the plastic bag levy, what key retailers are doing, what initiatives work, and the impact carbon footprints have on the supply chain.

“The Carbon Reduction Institute would like to see plastic bags banned altogether. This issue is that alternatives such as organic bags, have their own environmental ramifications as they contribute to the world food shortage. There are many factors that need to be considered,” said Cawthorne, who will also present Turning Climate Change into Business Opportunity at Retail Expo Australasia, which runs in conjunction with National Retail Forum.

Sally McDonald, CEO, The Oroton Group; Katherine Sampson, CEO, Healthy Habits; Sean Ashby, CEO, AussieBum; Ross McDonald, Industry Marketing Manager – Retail, Entertainment and Consumer Goods, Google Australia; will also feature at the National Retail Forum, running from August 12 to 13.


Visit www.retailforum.com.au  for full program details.

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