Marks & Spencer has announced a £1 million investment in a change of diet for pasture-grazed cows, in a move towards sustainability.
The new feed aims to reduce the methane formed in the stomachs of pasture-grazed cows. This will then stop the gas from being released into the atmosphere.
The retailer noted that it was working with all 40 M&S Select dairy farmers to implement the change.
It will remove a projected 11,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere annually.
This change will cut the carbon footprint of Marks & Spencer’s milk by 8.4%.
The first-to-market investment is part of a larger initiative by Marks & Spencer. Known as Plan A, its aim is for the retailer to reach net-zero emissions by 2040.
‘Commitment To Innovation’
Speaking about the steps taken to reach net zero, the chief executive of Marks & Spencer, Stuart Machin, said, “I talk a lot about ‘the magic of M&S’ – and a key part of this is our commitment to innovation.
“It’s in our DNA, and, along with our unique model of own-brand long-term supplier partnerships, it’s how we deliver the quality and trust our customers expect from us.
“By turning our obsession with innovation towards climate change and tapping into the entrepreneurial spirit of our suppliers, we can turbocharge our drive to be a net-zero business across all our operations and entire supply chain by 2040.
“I’m excited by the big difference these small changes could make to some of the toughest climate challenges we face.”
Initiatives
The retailer added that it was looking for more ways to reduce its carbon footprint and will continue innovating.
A previous trial undertaken asked customers to donate both wearable and unwearable clothes to Oxfam. The unwearable clothes were recycled and the materials repurposed, to stop them from going into a landfill.
An upcoming trial will see Marks & Spencer use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict a store’s optimal heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) controls, in an effort to reduce energy consumption.
As it is trialled across six stores, it aims to cut HVAC costs by 30%. When rolled out, it could save the retailer an estimated 2,000 tonnes of carbon and £3 million annually.
Other initiatives will look at energy, recycling, technology and water.
Read More: Marks & Spencer UK Introduces Fully Recyclable Cups To Its Cafes
