M&S to become "world’s most sustainable retailer" by 2015
01 March 2010 09:33
Marks & Spencer has launched a programme to become the world's most sustainable retailer by 2015.
Its efforts will include 80 major new commitments under its eco and ethical programme, Plan A.
These new commitments will mean that by 2020 all 2.7 billion individual M&S products will become 'Plan A products' with at least one sustainable quality, (e.g. carrying Fairtrade or Marine Stewardship Council certification or using free range or other sustainable ingredients).
M&S also said that it was committed to becoming the first major retailer to guarantee a fair, living wage for workers in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India as well as being the first major retailer to ensure full traceability of all the key raw materials used in its clothing and home products.
The company also said that it would become the first major retailer to ensure that six key raw materials it uses – palm oil, soya, cocoa, beef, leather, coffee – come from sustainable sources that do not contribute to deforestation, one of the biggest causes of climate change.
Sir Stuart Rose, chairman of Marks & Spencer said: "Since we launched our eco plan, Plan A, in 2007 we've reduced our environmental impact, developed new sustainable products and services, helped improve the lives of people in our local communities and saved around £50 million by being more efficient.
"We've now set ourselves the ambitious target of becoming the world's most sustainable retailer by 20151, 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. We believe sustainability is a key ingredient of business success and that Plan A will continue to make us more efficient, develop new markets and build customer loyalty. It's therefore not just the right thing to do morally but also makes strong commercial sense".
Dan Rees, director of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), added: "M&S is at the forefront of ethical sourcing and its new Plan A commitments to implement mechanisms to achieve a living wage for the workers who make its products across Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka are fantastic and sector-leading. Its plan to educate and train half a million workers in its supply chain is a tremendous commitment. We look forward to working with M&S on both initiatives, and learning what can be achieved by these stretching targets".
Glyn Davies, director of programmes at WWF, said: "WWF is delighted to see the progress M&S is continuing to make - with a new action plan to become the world's most sustainable retailer. 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."
Marks & Spencer first launched its ethical and eco plan, Plan A, in January 2007 with the overall goals of making M&S carbon neutral; sending no waste from our operations to landfill; extending sustainable sourcing.
The original 100 Plan A commitments have been extended to 180 and the new targets have deadlines of 2015 and beyond. The original 100 commitments maintain their 2012 target, with 46 achieved so far.
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