Marks & Spencer

Aim
Producing our fruit, vegetables, salads and meat to independent environmental standards. Developing a set of sustainable farming measurements to demonstrate the environmental benefits of these standards.

Progress Summary
In the next year, we plan to conduct a trial with selected farmers to implement a set of environmental standards. We’ll use measurements developed with WWF, the RSPB and Linking Environment And Farming to track improvements and benefits. If the trial is successful it will be extended.

Aim
Converting all our fresh turkey, geese, duck and pork products to free range.

Progress Summary
For the second year, all of our fresh whole ducks, geese and turkeys came from free range producers. We’re currently trialing fresh free range pork in 100 stores.

Aim
Using recycled plastic to make polyester, rather than using oil. Make ranges of polyester fleeces from recycled plastic within a year. Extend to other polyester ranges such as trousers, suits and furniture by 2012.

Progress Summary
During 2008/09 we used nine times as many recycled plastic bottles as we did the previous year (37 million in total) to make recycled polyester for use in our homeware, bedding, lingerie and children’s wear ranges.

Aim
Working with our suppliers to improve the efficiency of water use during production.

Progress Summary
After working with the WWF to establish a water footprint for our clothing business and food product supply chains, we’ve identified a number of water ‘hotspots’. We’re working with suppliers to address water use in cotton production, dyehouses, clothing manufacture and food production. We aim to develop a wider plan, incorporating targets, best practice initiatives and training, during 2009/10.

Aim
Making sure all the wood we use is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified or is recycled.

Progress Summary
We have made good progress in improving the scope and consistency of our wood usage data, extending far beyond the wood products we sell. This year we have added construction materials to our data. In total, 41% of wood materials used were FSC certified, 12% recycled and 7% from other independently certified sources. Highlights include: the use of 100% FSC or recycled wood materials in our store décor, magazines and leaflets; 93% in our greetings cards stationery and gifts; and 92% in our kitchen rolls, tissues and toilet rolls. Half of the wood products supplied for the construction and fit-out of our stores were also from FSC certified sources and providers. In the next year, we are aiming to significantly improve our sustainable wood sourcing for furniture, home accessories, books, packaging and wood-based fabrics. We are working with Rainforest Alliance to help us increase usage of FSC and recycled materials.

Aim
Ensuring all the fish we sell is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified or, where MSC is not available, another equivalent independent standard.

Progress Summary
Last year 20% of the wild fish species we sold were either all or part certified to MSC standards, although traditional species such as cod and haddock which are not MSC certified still make up the majority of our sales. Next year we plan to run quarterly campaigns to promote less well known seasonal and British fish to take the pressure off these more traditional varieties. We also shared details of our wild fish sources with the MSC and promoted MSC certification as our preferred sustainable standard. To develop equivalent independent standards where MSC certification is not available we have started discussions with our suppliers, trade bodies and WWF.