Marks and Spencer has launched a new programme to help its farmers decarbonise and reach net zero.
The seven-year ‘Farm for the Future’ programme will work with seven M&S farms across beef, lamb, dairy, chicken, pork and egg to identify and implement practical, on-farm activities to help them decarbonise.
The programme includes advice regarding agricultural sustainability, farm efficiency and animal welfare practitioners.
It also forms part of the retailer’s sustainability action ‘Plan A’ to reach net zero by 2040.
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M&S Food head of agriculture and fisheries Steve McLean said: “Over 70% of the emissions of our food business come from primary agriculture, particularly the livestock and ruminant sectors, so it is clear this needs real focus.
“We recognise the challenges this brings on farm, and the need to continue to produce affordable, high-quality food from sustainable supply chain relationships.
“We are committed to helping our M&S Select Farmers navigate these challenges, and this new initiative will enable us to support innovative approaches on seven of our M&S Select Farms, with the findings being shared across our whole supply base and the wider industry to help drive real change.”
The retailer will be collaborating with suppliers such as Cranswick, Skea Eggs, Dunbia, Scotbeef, Linden Foods, Muller, 2 Sisters Food Group and Harper Adams University’s School of Sustainable Food and Farming.
