M&S to be ‘world’s most sustainable retailer'
Every single product in Marks & Spencer’s (M&S's) food range will carry “at least one sustainable or ethical quality” (eg Fairtrade or Marine Stewardship Council certification, or use free range or other sustainable ingredients) by 2020 as part of the company’s bid to become the ‘world’s most sustainable retailer’
It has also committed to becoming the first major retailer to ensure that all of its palm oil, soya, cocoa, beef and coffee come from sustainable sources that do not contribute to deforestation by 2015, while all of its cardboard for food packaging will be sourced via a single ‘model’ forest programme.
200 factories with ethical features
M&S first launched its ethical and eco plan, Plan A, in January 2007, with the aim of making M&S carbon neutral; sending zero waste to landfill; extending sustainable sourcing; setting new standards in ethical trading and helping customers and employees live a healthier lifestyle.
Now the firm has committed to help its suppliers “create 200 Plan A factories with either ethical or environmental features, or both”, and will encourage 10,000 farmers who produce its fresh foods to join its sustainable agriculture programme.
M&S chairman Sir Stuart Rose said: “We’ve set ourselves the ambitious target of becoming the world’s most sustainable retailer by 2015, so that we lead the way in making a positive contribution to the environment and society across everything we do and everything we sell.
“Our extended Plan A will reach further and move us faster, covering every part of our business and reaching out to forests, farms, factories, lorries, warehouses and into our customers’ and employees’ homes.”
The approach was “not just the right thing to do morally”, but also “makes strong commercial sense”, he added.
Working with the World Wildlife Fund
Glyn Davies, director of programmes at World Wildlife Fund (WWF), said: “This raises the bar - and provides leadership for other retailers, as well as offering an opportunity to engage staff and customers in Plan A, so helping to reduce their ecological footprint. WWF is working with M&S on a range of innovative projects aimed at reducing the environmental and social impacts of the food we eat, including working towards sustainable fisheries, stopping deforestation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving efficiency of irrigated water use.
“Importantly, a strength of Plan A is to measure details of sustainability, so that success can be verified, and encourage us all to make better shopping choices.”
