M&S Environmental Strategy

The 100-point plan, which is aimed to be fully implemented by 2012, focuses on five key objectives:
1. Become carbon neutral
2. Send no waste to landfill
3. Extend sustainable sourcing
4. Set new standards in ethical trading
5. Help customers and employees live a healthier lifestyle.

By May 2009, the company had achieved 16 of the objectives and was working on a further 24. A further 53 commitments were reported on or ahead of plan, with six behind plan and one on hold. These initiatives are also reportedly cost positive and will over time start to generate savings that can be invested back into the business.

This translates into a reduction of 18% in carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of 96,000 tonnes, as well as marked savings in terms of waste, with 3.2 million less garments going to landfill as a result of a partnership with Oxfam.

To meet each of these objectives, Marks & Spencer is to adopt new ways of working to minimise its impact on the environment and improve the lives of its international supplier network.

In terms of becoming carbon neutral, the retailer is to reduce the amount of energy it uses, making itself 25% more energy efficient, powering stores with ‘green’ renewable energy, including trialling the use of ‘anaerobic digestion’. To reduce air traffic, it will commit to buy as much food locally, from the UK and Ireland, as possible. Carbon offsetting will only be used in the last instance and when used will be allocated to individual business units to incentivise them to minimise costs. Prototype ‘green’ stores are opening in Pollock, Bournemouth and Liverpool and a Simply Food ‘green’ store in Galashiels.

The first ‘green’ stores opened in October 2007, in Glasgow and Galashiels, powered by windmills. They include a series of eco-features aimed at reducing their carbon footprint. The retailer’s first wind turbine, in Aberdeenshire, will provide renewable energy to the branches, which the company states will lead to a drop of 55% in their energy use. This, the company says, will also contribute to the shops producing 95% less carbon dioxide. Another energy-reducing effort will see the shops collect rainwater to be used in flushing toilets. This will help lower water usage by 40%, it is claimed. Further savings will be achieved by preventing heat and energy loss through more efficient lighting and ventilation systems.

In November 2008, M&S issued an update on Plan A, reporting that the retailer had already hit 20 out of the 100 environmental goals set out in the green initiative. The company pointed to particular progress in energy saving, waste reduction and a general increase in efficiency. Marks & Spencer Chairman Sir Stuart Rose said. “Conditions may be challenging on the high street but Plan A has made us think of new ways of working. Progress made on energy saving, reducing waste and increasing efficiency mean that twenty-two months in, Plan A is cost neutral.”

Source: Planet Retail