UK: carbon-neutral groceries
British supermarket chain, Marks and Spencer, announced plans yesterday to spend GBP 200 million (300 million euros) to become carbon-neutral by 2012.
A cynic would note that the target market for M&S groceries is wealthier on average than is the British population as a whole, so this high-profile focus on environmental issues would play well to the middle-class M&S audience. It is also noteworthy that the company’s intention to source from within Britain, where possible, applies only to food and related products, not to clothing. The complex global networks now common in clothing production would be harder and much more costly to untangle than those for food.
But we are not cynical, and we applaud good intentions. The main points of the announcement:
“The 100-point Plan A includes commitments in five areas:
1. CLIMATE CHANGE - making our operations in UK and Republic of Ireland carbon neutral. We will minimise energy use, maximise the use of renewables and use offsetting as a last resort. This will be equivalent to taking 100,000 cars off the road each year and will mean we meet the challenge set by the Stern Review of reducing CO2 emissions by 80%, nearly 40 years ahead of target. As a significant amount of emissions come from our suppliers and customers making and using our products, we will also mobilise them to reduce their carbon footprint.
2. WASTE - stop sending waste to landfill from our stores, offices and warehouses, reduce our use of packaging and carrier bags, and find new ways to recycle and reuse the materials we use.
3. RAW MATERIALS - ensuring that our key raw materials come from the most sustainable source possible, in order to protect the environment and the world’s natural resources.
4. FAIR PARTNER - improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in our supply chain and our local communities. x5. HEALTHY EATING - helping thousands of customers and employees choose a healthier lifestyle. We will build on the work we have already done, removing HVOs from all our food and removing artificial colours, flavours and all unnecessary preservatives from all fresh prepared food. We are also introducing Food Standards Agency Traffic Lights and Guideline Daily Allowance (GDA) product labelling.
5. HEALTHY EATING - helping thousands of customers and employees choose a healthier lifestyle. We will build on the work we have already done, removing HVOs from all our food and removing artificial colours, flavours and all unnecessary preservatives from all fresh prepared food. We are also introducing Food Standards Agency Traffic Lights and Guideline Daily Allowance (GDA) product labelling.”
M&S’s plans were also discussed on last night’s BBC TV’s Newsnight program, available for a limited time here.