A new Marks & Spencer (M&S) cotton initiative launched last week, aiming to accelerate access to clean energy for the retailer’s suppliers in India.
In association with sustainability consultancy Pilio, M&S began the Affordable Clean Environment (ACE) cotton programme which will benefit the cotton growing communities in India that are so central to helping make the clothing it sells around the world.
Cotton makes up the largest share of M&S’s material portfolio and accounts for more than half of the total fibre mix in its garments. Signing up to and developing ACE is a key part of the retailer’s Plan A sustainability work, specifically around protecting and enhancing biodiversity across its entire value chain.
Through the M&S cotton programme, the retailer will invest directly in clean energy and ‘nature positive’ solutions for India cotton growers. The aim is to ensure any M&S cotton initiatives are developed in partnership with suppliers, while unlocking financing for on-farm and off-farm solar technologies, which should help reduce carbon emissions associated with cotton production and build resilience in rural communities.
Working with farmers already licensed under the Better Cotton Initiative, the ACE cotton programme will extend its support beyond agricultural practices to include habitat creation, restoration of land and the introduction of nature positive approaches such as native plantings for wildlife and waterway habitat areas and nature corridors.
Katharine Beacham, head of materials at M&S, commented: “Today, 100% of the cotton in our clothing comes from more responsible sources.
“The ACE cotton programme builds on that progress by investing in clean energy and nature positive practices that support farming communities and reduce the environmental impact of cotton production. It reflects the ambition of our sustainability programme – Plan A – to ensure our clothes are made in a way that supports people, protects nature, and contributes to a lower-carbon future.”
When taking about “more responsible sources”, Beacham is referring to M&S’s involvement in the Better Cotton Initiative which sees its garments made with recycled or organic sources of cotton since 2019 – the retailer’s homeware textiles products are tracking towards the same goal this year.
Catherine Bottrill, CEO of Pilio, remarked: “Access to clean energy benefits strengthens the prosperity of farming communities while reducing emissions and delivering positive outcomes for biodiversity across brand supply chain.”
UK retailers have been vocal on supplier relationships in recent days, with Waitrose announcing it is halting stopping mackerel sourcing – and therefore sales of the product – due to sustainability concerns.
Tesco UK CEO Ashwin Prasad spoke at last week’s National Farmers Union conference, calling for a partnership approach across the UK food system to build resilience, drive growth, and create a more sustainable future for British farming.
He said the UK’s government’s food strategy “must set a long-term vision for UK agriculture that creates a level playing field for all parts of the food industry, and protects the high standards we have developed”.
“We must give all of you [British farmers] clarity on the role you can play in the UK’s wider transition to net zero, as well as create the right policy conditions for you to be able to invest in, and benefit from that transition,” he told delegates.
[image credit: Green Retail World]
