Marks & Spencer has today announced the launch of RE:Spark, a new supply chain decarbonisation programme developed in partnership with Schneider Electric, the global energy technology leader. The new initiative was unveiled during Schneider Electric’s Innovation Summit North America in Las Vegas, attended by 2,500+ industry leaders.
The initiative has been designed to accelerate the adoption of renewable electricity across M&S’s global supply chain and is a key part of the retailer’s Plan A sustainability strategy which aims to achieve net zero emissions across its value chain by 2040.
RE:Spark reflects M&S’s commitment to look beyond its own operations and spark change across its supply chain. Through the RE:Spark programme, M&S will:
- Launch a digital hub, powered by Schneider Electric’s Zeigo Hub, offering a centralised portal to host the programme. With Zeigo Hub, suppliers can submit emissions data, track decarbonisation efforts, and understand recommended carbon reduction action through specialised learning resources.
- Host regional market briefs and webinars to educate suppliers on renewable electricity procurement in five key regions: Vietnam, Turkey, India, China, and Bangladesh.
- Provide strategic advisory services to help suppliers assess and implement clean energy solutions, including onsite solar, energy attribute certificates, green tariffs, and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
- Enable suppliers to aggregate demand for PPAs, allowing smaller suppliers to participate in multi-buyer cohorts and access renewable electricity at scale.
The programme will initially focus on high-impact regions within M&S’s fashion and food supply chain, with plans to expand over the next three years.
“We believe sustainability should be embedded in everything we do, from how we source products to supporting our supply partners and customers to do the right thing,” said Katharine Beacham, Head of Sustainability and Materials in Fashion, Home & Beauty at M&S (pictured above). “We know that real change happens when we collaborate. That’s why RE:Spark is designed not only to ignite new ideas and unlock renewable energy opportunities for our supply base, but also to make the transition easier by providing access to support and resources. By acting as a facilitator, we can help our suppliers build networks and resilience for the long term – sparking a movement of change across the industry and beyond. It’s all part of our broader commitment – through Plan A, our -sustainability strategy – to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.”
“As an energy technology company, we’re proud to be working with M&S to help suppliers overcome barriers to renewable electricity adoption,” said Steve Wilhite, Executive Vice President, SE Advisory Services. “RE:Spark is a powerful example of how collaboration can drive scalable, impactful change across global supply chains.”
RE:Spark builds on M&S’s work to improve environmental performance in its manufacturing* as well as recent circularity milestones, including the launch of Another Life – M&S’s platform for activating circularity in Fashion, Home & Beauty – which brings together initiatives across Rewear, Repair, Recycle and Resale.
These initiatives are central to M&S’s ambition to reshape for sustainable, profitable growth and to become a net zero business by 2040.
