Anita Roddick challenges UK retailers to switch to Ecotricity

10th November 2000

Today, global businesswoman Anita Roddick issued a challenge to Britain's highstreet retailers to switch to Ecotricity in a bid to combat climate change.

Anita Roddick's challenge synchronises with The Body Shop's decision to change its electricity supplier to the World's leading 'green' electricity company, Ecotricity. This is a major step in The Body Shop's Climate Change strategy.

Ecotricity is generated from a range of non-conventional sources; including 'deep' green sources like wind power, hydro power and solar power; and 'pale' green technologies including landfill gas and sewage. Ecotricity's 'no premium price' promise means that The Body Shop aren't paying anymore than conventional electricity, whilst saving the environment around 6,800 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per annum, the equivalent of emissions from 4,660 houses!

Supply to The Body Shop's Head Office in Littlehampton and over 100 UK shops will now switch to Ecotricity. The retailer's London Head Office will convert to Ecotricity from April next year and the franchisee shops are expected to follow suit.

"Climate change is one of the biggest issues we face today. We want to do everything we can as a business to address this head on. Not only does using Ecotricity significantly reduce our carbon emissions, it also makes good business sense," says Roddick. "I challenge other highstreet retailers to follow our lead - there is no good reason why they cannot."

Dale Vince, Managing Director of Ecotricity, is optimistic about the response to Anita's challenge saying,

"Ecotricity offers businesses an opportunity to improve the environment at no extra cost! The Body Shop is leading the way for UK retailers to take some responsibility for their environmental impact."

In an open letter to the British Retail Consortium, Anita Roddick urges Britain's retailers to take up this challenge. By buying Ecotricity businesses are actively supporting the development of renewable energy as a really economically viable alternative to conventional fossil and nuclear fuel sources.

Ends.