M&S signs up to 100% renewable power pledge

Leading British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has joined RE100, the global initiative supporting major companies committing to 100% renewable power.

The retailer of food, clothing and home products with over 1,300 stores worldwide joins 18 other leading businesses, including Unilever and India's largest IT company, Infosys, who also signed up this week.

Since the launch of its ethical and environmental ‘Plan A’ in 2007, M&S has lowered its carbon emissions by 19% and has become carbon neutral across its worldwide operations. It has a target to improve its UK and ROI energy efficiency by 50% by 2020 and to source 50% of its gas from certified green bio-methane sources

Commenting on the decision to join RE100, Mike Barry, director of sustainable business Plan A at Marks & Spencer said: “Tackling climate change is critical for our business, and for all businesses. We developed Plan A with this in mind – which includes a commitment to sourcing 100 per cent of our directly procured UK and ROI electricity from renewable sources. Joining RE100 gives us an opportunity to share what we have learned and encourage other businesses to switch to renewable energy.”