Leading UK retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has pledged to become net zero in carbon emissions across its own operations, its entire supply chain and its products by 2040. This is ten years ahead of a Government target for Britain.
The M&S target is even more ambitious than one set out by Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer.
M&S launched a sustainability programme in 2007 and in 2012 became the first major carbon neutral retailer for its direct emissions.
The retailer wants to cut its total carbon footprint by a third by 2025 and has committed to zero deforestation in sourcing palm oil and soy by 2025, using more sustainable fibres by 2025 and supporting suppliers to advance lower carbon farming methods.
Steve Rowe, CEO, M&S said, “This won’t be easy. We need to transform how we make, move and sell our products to customers and fundamentally change the future shape of our business.”
To get customers on board, the retailer will now reward the 12.5 million members of its ‘Sparks’ loyalty scheme with treats if they donate unwanted clothes to British-based charity Oxfam.
