Marks and Spencer Invests £1 Million to Mitigate Dairy Farming Impact
Source: The DairyNews
Marks and Spencer (M&S) has unveiled a £1 million investment initiative aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of dairy farming, signaling a significant step towards sustainability.
The investment focuses on implementing a new feed regimen for pasture-grazed cows, designed to mitigate methane emissions generated in their stomachs. By curbing the release of methane into the atmosphere, M&S aims to make a substantial environmental impact.
In collaboration with all 40 M&S Select dairy farmers, the retailer plans to introduce the new feed, projecting a reduction of 11,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This change is expected to decrease the carbon footprint of M&S milk by 8.4%.
This groundbreaking investment aligns with M&S's broader sustainability initiative, Plan A, which aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. Stuart Machin, CEO of Marks and Spencer, emphasized the company's commitment to innovation in addressing climate change challenges.
Machin stated, "By leveraging innovation and collaborating with our suppliers, we can accelerate our journey towards becoming a Net Zero business by 2040. These small changes hold the potential to make a significant difference in combating climate change."
In addition to the dairy farming initiative, M&S continues to explore innovative ways to reduce its carbon footprint across various sectors. Previous endeavors include a clothing recycling trial with Oxfam and an upcoming AI-driven optimization of HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption.
The HVAC trial, set to be piloted in six stores, aims to slash HVAC costs by 30%, potentially saving 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and £3 million annually when fully implemented.
M&S remains committed to pursuing additional initiatives focused on energy efficiency, recycling, technology adoption, and water conservation as part of its sustainability journey.
In collaboration with all 40 M&S Select dairy farmers, the retailer plans to introduce the new feed, projecting a reduction of 11,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This change is expected to decrease the carbon footprint of M&S milk by 8.4%.
This groundbreaking investment aligns with M&S's broader sustainability initiative, Plan A, which aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. Stuart Machin, CEO of Marks and Spencer, emphasized the company's commitment to innovation in addressing climate change challenges.
Machin stated, "By leveraging innovation and collaborating with our suppliers, we can accelerate our journey towards becoming a Net Zero business by 2040. These small changes hold the potential to make a significant difference in combating climate change."
In addition to the dairy farming initiative, M&S continues to explore innovative ways to reduce its carbon footprint across various sectors. Previous endeavors include a clothing recycling trial with Oxfam and an upcoming AI-driven optimization of HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption.
The HVAC trial, set to be piloted in six stores, aims to slash HVAC costs by 30%, potentially saving 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and £3 million annually when fully implemented.
M&S remains committed to pursuing additional initiatives focused on energy efficiency, recycling, technology adoption, and water conservation as part of its sustainability journey.
