Marks and Spencer Announces Plans to Cut 800 Tonnes of CO2 Emissions

Just recently Marks and Spencer announced its plans to help cut 800 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year by distributing 300,000 products by way of train. The retailer will use the green transport option for its clothing and home products, meaning that this will remove lorries from the road between Daventry and Grangemouth, Falkirk, which is a 350 mile journey.

Marks and Spencer says that this is all part of their Plan A sustainability scheme. This is a list of some 180 commitments to achieve by 2015 in order to become the world’s most sustainable major retailer. Other actions that are included in this sustainability scheme include recycling initiatives, a reduction in packaging and an effort to reduce energy use in stores. All in all, this will help the company save money as well.

Richard Kirk, head of retail and outlet logistics for Marks and Spencer, said that rail distribution saves time, costs less and, as the company moves towards their ambitious Plan A commitments, crucially cuts carbon emissions. He went on to add that the company has also increased fuel efficiency by 30 percent and implemented more fuel-efficient engines.

The company further went on to say on their website that they have reduced transport emissions even more by moving from 110 nationwide warehouses to four large buildings. This keeps the company closer together and, thus, cuts down on transport emissions.

Overall, these are some big steps that Marks and Spencer are taking. This is a company that is setting a good example that other major retailers could learn from.