Press Release: Environment: Commission and retail sector launch Retail Forum to promote more sustainable consumption

On 4 March, 2009, the European Commission and the European retail sector will launch a Retail Forum as part of their drive to promote more environmentally sustainable consumption patterns. The Forum will be launched by Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, EuroCommerce President, Senator Feargal Quinn and Pierre-Olivier Beckers, President and CEO of the Delhaize Group, representing the European Retail Round Table (ERRT). The event in Brussels will also involve producers, consumers and environment groups. The creation of the Retail Forum represents a significant contribution in the implementation of the EU Action Plan on sustainable consumption and production and sustainable industrial policy presented by the Commission in July 2008. The Forum aims to reduce the environmental impact of the retail sector and its supply chain, promote more sustainable products and better inform consumers about 'green' purchasing opportunities.