The My Shop is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign is planning to spread the green message by highlighting the lower carbon footprint of local stores in its autumn programme.
Organisers say they will promote the close proximity independent stores have to their customer base, meaning that shoppers can choose to walk to their local store.
"These stores are made for walking," said MSYS chairman Alan Toft. "MSYS is all about the value that local independent retailers bring to the local community and this is an issue which is at the top of the consumer agenda. Most shoppers climb into a car for their big weekly shop. We are aware that many local shops have passing trade with drivers popping in, but we are harnessing every possible benefit which local independents serving non-drivers can claim, and a reduced carbon footprint is one of them."