UK retail chain Marks and Spencer has put attempts to use more biofuels, originally part of its GBP200m (US$346.9m) Plan A eco-scheme, on the back burner.
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The controversial energy source has been ditched by M&S after two trials, the retailer’s sustainable raw materials specialist Mark Summer confirmed in a Plan A update in London yesterday (8 October).
He said: “It is a good example of just how fluid Plan A has to be.”
Biofuels were one of the 100 points raised by M&S’ eco plan, announced in January 2007.
As an alternative to fossil fuels, biofuels are sourced from recently-grown crops. However, critics say that government subsidies to farmers who grow plants for biofuel are diverting crops away from food.
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By GlobalDataSummer was speaking at the annual conference of RITE Group, a portal for sustainability in the textiles supply chain.
He went onto say that biofuels was the first point to be dropped by M&S, while 17 have already been achieved and only eight have not yet started.
Notably, the company has managed to reduce its use of carrier bags by 11%. M&S has also reduced energy-related emissions from stores and offices by around 55,000 tonnes since the start of the plan and switched 25% of its electricity to renewable sources.
M&S representatives were unavailable to comment any further on its biofuels policy.
However, information on the company’s website confirmed: “Since originally announcing our Plan A commitment to use more bio-diesel, we have discussed some of the environmental issues associated with its production with our stakeholders.
“We’ve decided to stop using bio-diesel until sustainable sources of supply are available.”
