Making M&S a more

sustainable retailer on the

planet
Jega

Company Profile
Autumn 2010
  

The Registered Office

and Head Office of Marks
& Spencer is
Marks and Spencer Group plc

Waterside House

35 North Wharf Road

London

W2 1NW

Telephone: 020 7935 4422/ 020 7935 
4422      

For Retail Customer Services please call: 
0845 302 1234 / 0845 302 1234        
Alternatively email 
retailcustomer.services@marksandspencer.com

Web address: marksandspencer.com
Plan A and M&S has set the trend to beat global
Registered Number: 4256886  warming, curtail climate change via commendable plans
and suggestions, focusing on collegial as well as
Place of Registration: England and  individual contribution to re-invent a greener and
Wales sustainable planet for a better and brighter to-morrow.

For shareholder queries, please call 
our registrar, Equiniti.

[Type the company address]

[Type the phone number]
[Type the fax number]
 ACKNOWLWDGEMENT

M&S-The making of Plan A and an organisation to be the sustainable retailer on the planet.

This material was produced in the context of a project as part of our college assessment for our
final exam in the Post Graduate Diplomas in Business Administration {PGDBM}.

Planned, conceptualised and written under the able guidance and teaching of our lecturers Mr
Arbab Mohammad Qamar and Gillian White respectively course co-ordinator and lecturer.

My thanks are also extended to my friends and team mates who have inspired and encouraged
me to put pen to paper through close collaboration and support without whom this work and
project would not have been possible.

__________________________________________________________________________________

M&S PROJECT

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION --------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pg 04

• Background and Overview----------------------------------------------------------------------pg 06

• Projection and prospect---------------------------------------------------------------------------pg 07

• Impact on local and world market--------------------------------------------------------------pg 08

• Various stake holders------------------------------------------------------------------------------pg 09

BODY/CORE CONTENTS----------------------------------------------------------------------------pp 07-12

• M&S AND CLIMATE CHANGE

• +VE aspects

• -VE aspects

• Further suggestions (sustainable energy)

Page 2 of 23
 • M&S and UK economy

• Impact on global trades

• Economic, financial, political and environmental aspects

• BP and M&S ( inter-link)

• M&s and society (health issues)

• Drawback on environment (DO’s and Don’t)

• Further suggestions

• How foreign countries are affected

• Cheap labour

• Exploitation widely denounced

• Ethical trading

CONCLUSION------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------pp 13-14

• Remedies

• Pilot projects:-

• Greenhouse issues

• Reforestation

• Save the Planet

• Beat global warming (plans and suggestions)

• Poverty relief funds 

Page 3 of 23
 • Education and skills

• Social aid to eradicate marginalisation

• Integration of the less favourable

• Better distribution of the resources/shares and debentures 

BIBLIOGRAPHY--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------pg15 

(HARVARD REFERENCING) Name of book, Authors name, date, pg numbers, publication house, 

Isbn No.

GLOSSARY /ANNOTATION-----------------------------------------------------------------------pg(16--22)

========================================================================

Forecast and Commitments/ plan A

PLAN A-JAN 2007-2015/ACHIEVE 180 COMMITMENTS

BECOME WORLD’S MOST SUSTAINABLE MAJOR RETAILER

PROPOSALS:-

COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE INVOLVING ALL STAKEHOLDERS

REDUCE WASTE –OFFERS/BUY 1 GET 1 FREE

USE   SUSTAINABLE   RAW   MATERIALS   –RECYCLING   OF   WASTAGE/LEFT   OVER 

/SURPLUS-(ANIMAL FOOD) RECYCLING PLASTICS/RE-USABLE

TRADE ETHICALLY –RULES AND REGULATIONS/COMBAT CRISIS/INCREASE 

PROFITABILITY

HELP CONSUMERS LEAD HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES

========================================================================

Page 4 of 23
DRAFT COPY

INTRODUCTION

Plan A was launched in 2007 with very precise targets and commendable motives to make

the company, M&S, most sustainable and eco friendly on the planet with regard to

consumers and potential competitors. Sir Stuart Rose had a brilliant plan, a vision with

loads of expectations alongside challenges the company had to face. The actual plan, i.e.

plan A is meant to revolutionise trading from base to very top level touching all

stakeholders* in the trend towards change of mentality, habits and general behaviour as far

as doing a business entity is concerned. At long last, mankind had come to realise the

various irresponsible ways it has been ill-treating Mother Nature.

What goes round comes round it is said and it was not long before the backlash could be felt

with devastating and horrendous side effects. Suddenly the ozone* layers so important to

shield mankind from cancerous ultra violet rays were being seriously tampered with,

deforestation was at its worst level, carbon gas emissions, causing greenhouse gas effect*,

was soaring and mankind could see the imminent danger of a collapsing world ahead of

itself. So you sow so you reap and the ill wind was at cruising speed, blowing hard

relentlessly and sparing no efforts to sweep life and existence on its way round.

Amidst confusion and panic the world knew it had itself to blame. From various top level

summits (G 20), Montreal Protocol, seminars, conferences to educate, inform and draw

attention, major renowned world leaders put themselves to immediate task for multilateral

and universal drastic changes. January 2007, Plan A was born, comprising of five pillars to

break the back of climate change and unacceptable trading practices from reducing waste,

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recycling, health and wellbeing, low and renewable energy consumption, protection of the

floras and faunas, cutting down on carbon footprints and emissions and fair partnership

among others. Plan A took the bold initiative to be the role model and pave the road-shows.

Posted by jamie on 13 September 2010. Greenpeace UK  http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/

Actress Marion Cottilard continues her journey through the Congo rainforest. Here, she sees 
firsthand  the wreckage left behind by the logging companies working in the Democratic 
Republic of Congo. 

“As we've heard many times before, the companies get permission to log from the local 
villages by promising to build schools and clinics, but these often never materialise and if 
they do, they're hopelessly inadequate. Or logging rights are sold for salt, beer and soap when 
the timber fetches thousands of dollars”. 

{GRAPHICS TO DEPICT DEFORESTATION, WILDLIFE & SIDE

EFFECTS}---Greenpeace UK}

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW

Sir Richard Gillies, Director Plan a CSR* and Sustainable Business promoting plan A, thus

illustrated his views, goals and achievements in June 2010:-

Quotes:-

Page 6 of 23
“Plan A today
In the last three years, thanks to Plan A, we’ve made a number of
Groundbreaking innovations that have changed the way we do business:
• We’ve motivated one million M&S customers to raise over £2.2m for Oxfam and saved 4 
million items of unwanted clothes from going to landfill.
• We’ve improved energy efficiency by over 10% in our stores.
• We’ve reduced packaging on our foods by 16%, without compromising freshness, quality or 
shelf life – and cut costs in the process.
• We’ve improved fuel efficiency by over 20% and introduced our instant recognizable ‘tear 
drop’ aerodynamic lorry trailers.
• We’ve made clothes hanger recycling ‘mainstream’ – with 120 million re-used or recycled 
each year.
• We’ve reduced the number of food carrier bags we give out by 400 million each year.
• We’ve purchased Green Palm Certificates to cover all of the palm oil used in our M&S 
products. By doing this we are rewarding palm oil producers for working in a sustainable and 
responsible way”. {Source How We do business annual review}

PROJECTION AND PROSPECT

How does plan A affect M&S to operate differently as an Organisation?

• Plan A is regarded as the mastermind of modern era trading which takes on board
all possible and probable aspects any organisation would want to meet regarding
various challenges that globalisation, climate change, greenhouse gas emissions,
healthy lifestyles, developing strategies, cost effectiveness, recycling, reducing
wastage in food products ( may be converted into livestock feeds instead of going to
landfills) and profitability of such business which cares and caters for a greener
planet. It is all about doing business, from forest or farm to factory, lorry,
warehouse, store and ultimately to consumer’s home.

What plans and strategies enables it to aspire becoming a healthier

Organisation?
On 10th June 2010 in its’ annual report about plan A progress, M&S has reported the
following:-

• Twenty (20%) reduction in food packaging

• Nineteen (19%) increase in energy efficiency in stores

• Four hundred and seventeen (417) million fewer carrier bags used in 2009

• £50 million GBP worth of profit reinvested in the business as per the same plan A
launched in 2007

The report details the progress of Plan A, M&S’ eco and ethical programme launched in
2007 as follows:-
“After three years, 62 of the original 100 commitments have been achieved, 30 are ‘on
plan’ to be achieved by 2012 and seven are ‘behind plan’ as a result of unexpected

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challenges.” Furthermore it is quoted “One, the use of bio-diesel,(1) is on-hold until
sustainable supplies become available. Other headline achievements revealed in the report,
include:-

33 per cent less waste sent to landfill year-on-year;

40 per cent of electricity sourced from ‘green’ tariff renewable supplies;

18 per cent reduction in refrigeration emissions (compared to 06/07);

1.8 million garments recycled through the Oxfam Clothing Exchange;

Packaging reduced by 36 per cent on general merchandise products;

RECYCLING

84 per cent of PET*(recyclable plastic) food plastic packaging made using recycled
materials;

72 per cent of wood used is Forest Stewardship Council, recycled or from sources
which otherwise protect forests and communities; Healthier food now makes up 38
per cent of food products ranges;

91 per cent of food products now meet FSA (food services authority) salt reduction
targets;

Over £13.2 million invested last year in community projects”.----(SOURCES

ANNUAL REPORT M&S)June 2010

Looking into Saving Natural Resources

Water waste reduction in countries which are water stressed and vulnerable,
combating climate change through sustainable farming, food manufacturing,
cotton production and dye-houses would be addressed drastically in line with Plan
A to encourage eco—friendly habits and at the same time protect our environment.
In the same breath biodiversity* can be promoted and protected further through
better waste, water, energy and recycling management concepts embedded in plan
A.

The implementation of sustainable agriculture also runs in pair with better soil
management, animal welfare, protect butterfly conservation and habitats on farms
across agricultural partners and other NGOs*. The persistent use of toxins and
pesticides already reaching unacceptable levels is to be halted further to comply
with health and wellbeing of Plan A. Immediate and enhanced measures to be

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 taken regarding pesticides in the food chain production, put further ban on
aerosols,, are only some of the imminent projections of plan A.

Efficient and cost effective management to meet target/aspiration

• Plan A is so structured that it takes into account of how best to get every individual
using (2.7 Billion products each year) ,including employees, suppliers,
management and various other stake holders to actively participate in the process
of making M&S the most sustainable retailer on the planet. For instance, offering
all eligible employees free home insulation and free home energy monitor. In so
doing M&s aim at touching employees’ friends and families to actively participate
in plan A, “How we do business”. Other initiatives which comprise of giving
employees day off for voluntary work in the community they live would be
encouraged as part of the same plan A, for instance Donating excess, usable
products to charity organisations such as Oxfam to support the needy and less
favourable, thus cutting on wastages.

• The five major pillars of Plan A which are to be addressed are:- Climate change,
reduction of waste detrimental to landfill, encourage the use of natural resources
which curtails deforestation, paying a fair living wage to workers in Bangladesh,
India and Sri Lanka, promotion of health and wellbeing of all individuals
concerned. Such measures among others would help cost effectiveness and promote
the planet to be more sustainable through the emergence of new markets for energy
and insulations. Through “Forum for the future”, Plan A is as quoted by the
founder of the forum, Jonathon Porrit “ the way in which M&S is transforming its
core business model through Plan A”.

What are the logical steps of personal development towards promoting

target?
• A series of projects, plans have been set out to implement Plan A into making every
aspect of trading as sustainable as possible from raw materials use, transportation,
refrigeration, energy consumption, improving energy efficiency ,using more and
more solar energy, reduces CO2 the most significant greenhouse gas, which also
improves economic performance alongside workers’ training, logistics, storage and
warehousing to be green and environmental friendly reducing carbon footprint to
at least 50% by 2015. Making new vehicles more energy efficient and eco friendly,
make household appliances more performing and efficient, switching off
unnecessary lights help contribute implementing plan A.

• Climate change and global warming should be the concern of every nation and
individual from the richest to the poorest, the highly developed, the developing all

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 put together. Plan A symbolises the necessity and urgency of tackling the very core
issues of building a safer tomorrow. Perfectly implemented, plan A has all the
ingredients to safeguard the planet and the coming generation. Knowledge is power
and information properly disseminated can only ensure a better future and plan A
has the momentum to deliver its goals and objectives successfully by getting people
involved from all walks of lives.

What is energy efficiency? 

When we drive a car chemical energy stored in gasoline is 
converted into mechanical energy and used to create motion. 
When we use an electric stove, a power plant first converts 
chemical energy stored in coal to electrical energy which is 
carried through the electrical system. Then the stove converts it 
to heat energy. The proportion of the original energy which ends 
up being used for the final purpose (motion, cooking) measures 
the energy efficiency. Nature sets some basic limits on how 
efficiently energy can be used, but in most cases our products 
and manufacturing processes are still a long way from operating 
at this theoretical limit. 

Why does energy efficiency matter? 

• If we can make things like cars and appliances do their job just as well while using 
less energy, then we do not need to burn as much coal and oil. Burning fossil fuels* 
like coal and oil produces carbon dioxide. Increasing the energy efficiency in 
transportation, homes, offices, and factories is the best way we have to reduce carbon 
dioxide emissions without lowering our standard of living. 

How can people decide for themselves what should be done about climate change? 

• The climate problem affects everyone, and everyone has a stake in deciding what 
should be done. It is for you to decide what actions you should take as an individual 
(in your home, your car, and so forth). Equally important, as a citizen you must decide 
which policies to support or oppose. It may be tempting to decide that the climate 

Page 10 of 23
 problem is just too complicated to deal with. --------------------Source, {bbc news 
channel article on climate change summer 2009}

Why is climate change happening?

• We have been burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas for our energy needs
for hundreds of years. As economies have grown so too has the consumption of
fossil fuels. Burning these fossil fuels releases the global warming gas carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere. Other, even more potent, greenhouse gases such as
methane are also playing a role. Plus, massive deforestation is happening, which is
accelerating climate change.

SUGGESTION:-

• It’s worth remembering that the biggest contributor to climate change is the carbon
dioxide that is emitted from power stations. So if you're still getting your electricity
from a carbon dinosaur then why not switch to a renewable energy provider? It’s
easy to switch and in most cases won’t cost you a penny more than you are
currently paying! The Green Providers Directory recommends Ecotricity. Source--
{Green providers /Fair-Trade Directory /UK}

BP/M&S and Climate change

How much might the sea level rise?

• Tides and winds move the level of the oceans up and down all the time. "Sea level" 
refers to the ocean's average level over a long time. In many parts of the world, sea 
level changes gradually as the coast or the ocean floor rises or falls due to natural 
geological changes or human actions such as pumping large amounts of oil out of the 
ground. In addition to these often large local changes, over the past century the 
average sea level has been rising at a rate of between 0.4 to 0.8 inches (.5 to 1 cm) per 
decade. Scientists are uncertain why this is occurring. There is no persuasive evidence 
that the rate of rise has increased in recent years. 

What might happen if sea level rises? 

• If global warming were to cause sea level to rise a couple of feet over the next 
century, two types of problems would result: permanent flooding of very low lying 
areas, and increased storm damage. Permanent flooding could pose problems for 
certain coastal ecosystems, for highly vulnerable cities such as Venice, and for some 
coastal drinking water supplies. However, the larger problems are likely to come with 
storms. When storm winds blow onto shore they cause water to "pile up." If the sea 
level rises, the amount of this "storm surge" may increase, with the result that coastal 
ecosystems* may be flooded more often, some beaches may be eroded more rapidly, 
and building and other structures along the coast may suffer greater and more frequent 
damage. The paragraph below presents a case study of this problem for Ocean City, 
Maryland.
• Developed countries like the U.S., and even low lying developed countries like the 
Netherlands, can use a combination of land use laws, and technologies such as dikes 

Page 11 of 23
 and storm surge barriers to minimize damage. In contrast, heavily populated coastal 
areas in developing countries such as Bangladesh might suffer enormous losses of 
life and property. 
• In the long run, if sea level continue to rise, even developed countries might begin to 
experience serious costs. Many of the world's biggest cities are in low lying coastal 
locations. If, as seems likely, these cities respond to sea level rise by building dikes, 
rather than by gradually relocating, the result over hundreds of years could be that a 
growing proportion of the world's population would live in locations below sea level 
that are vulnerable to sudden catastrophic floods. ----------------------

{ Source: N.J. Rosenberg and P.R. Crosson, The MINK Project: An overview, 
Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Energy, 1991}.

How does learning and new skills affect an organisation?

• Learning and participation in corporate developments have always been the
driving force of successful business entities just like blood is to life and oxygen to
sustain it so is skills and learning the DNA of successful organisation. A good and
prosperous organisation yields the best output and is the envy of those who live life
to the last bliss. In plan A there is something for every purse however moderate.
Further can be achieved through training of workers, investing in skills and
technologies where HR principles and good leadership are paramount. If the
intention is properly geared the fruits are undoubtedly sweet and the reward
commendable. Plan A requires each participating individual to practice and live a
part of M&S sustainable business retailer of the planet. Without neglecting ethical
trading, plan A has implemented commendable measures favouring about 2m
workers in the supply chain to work harmoniously with the (ETI)- ethical trading
initiative, ensuring that workers rights are safeguarded via proper auditing
techniques to harness their growing aspirations both for promoting plan A and the
company they serve. In so doing plan A would undoubtedly benefit the community
at large where the world would become not only more sustainable but also a better
place to live.

Rewarding objectives, how do they encourage growth and future

developments?
• In any healthy organisation there are important steps that are necessary which acts
as the driving force or locomotion towards personal as well as future development.
Good inter actions and dialogues, forums, meetings, seminars and training to
promote business well being, and Plan A is geared into moving in the right
direction. Behavioural scientists like Mayo, Mc Gregor and Herzberg* give
theoretical explanations of what motivates individuals and groups. Very often plans
to re-engineer organisations without a reliable theoretical framework to guide
actions to empower workers’ resources and skills are wrongly driven so the desire
to cut costs undermines real developments, the health of people and the
organisation and fails to stop before it is too late. Plan A is in itself a guarantee not

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 only towards individuals’ progress and welfare but also in championing various
green projects to make to-morrow a better day already. We have already enunciated
above the needs of collegial participation into fostering and nurturing an eco-
friendly planet, combating CO2 emissions and reducing carbon footprints
drastically. In any business endeavour trying to go against the tide is deemed to
venture towards gloom and doom. Good and timely decision making policies have
always been rewarding, just like a stitch in time saves nine.

*{Source-------The Healthy Organisation, ---Brian Dive, 2004, 2nd Ed, pp 3-6, ISBN
0749442522, talking about “ A Revolutionary approach to people & Management}

What else could be done to promote plan A and beyond, eg what can be
done outside the box?

CONLUSION
• We have so far brushed a picture of prospects and aspirations about plan A. In the
same breath the ‘salmon fallacy’ * {, In “The Healthy Organisation”, Brian Dive
2004, 2nd Ed, pp 7-9 ISBN 0749442522} should not be ignored and it goes on like
this:- “If 100 salmons are swimming slowly upstream, culling ten of them will not
enable the remaining 90 to swim faster. The problem is the prevailing current not
the efforts and abilities of the salmon”. Economists very often think from monetary
and financial point of view, ignoring proper human resources at the expense of
cutting costs. Patience is a virtue and Plan A is poised to face upcoming challenges
through individual participation. A drop of honey is worth more than a pint of
vinegar and the key to success in any business entity goes through the heart of its
employees. M&S , through plan A has the golden opportunity to mould a perfectly
green future with brilliance and some suggestion is to meet the aspirations of the
poor working class in developing countries like Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and
others in need on the planet who participate in the company’s growth and
sustainability. Plan A can do something outside the box by re-inventing business
and trading innovations for those poor contributors, for instance by piloting
projects like day-time nurseries, crèches, kindergartens, infant schools to care for
the young as well as the vulnerable or those capable differently to integrate and be
part and parcel of this illustrious plan A and society. Good deeds never go
unnoticed and charity well ordained begins at home, so why not with those Indian,
Sri Lankan and other contributors and their families who toil endlessly for long
hours to boost M&S profitability thus promote integration. Plan A has set the trend
for a bright and better future on our planet and together much more can be
accomplished.

Bringing such a praiseworthy project to fruition and beyond should be the target of each
and every individual who loves Mother Nature and plan A has not only set the trend but is
cruising towards its goal meeting all challenges with unrelenting determination. To recap

Page 13 of 23
and save our planet, we need to go the extra mile to do everything possible which favours
and tackles the following:-

• Pilot projects

• Greenhouse issues

• Reforestation

• Save the Planet/Recycle/ Reduce wastage

• Beat global warming

• Poverty relief funds

• Education and skills

• Social aid to eradicate marginalisation

• Integration of the less favourable

• Better distribution of the resources/ wages/shares and debentures

BIBLIOGRAPHY

M&S annual report, “How we do business—June 2010”

Quotes from M&S Company and Departmental Directors/local, overseas

Forum for the future (M&S)

Department of Energy –Washington DC/ US

Books and authors; - Brian Drive 2nd Ed 2004 ISBN 0749442522

Behavioural Scientists------ Mayo, Mc Gregor et al

Page 14 of 23
BBC world news on climate change-- summer 2009

You Tube Broadcast/ videos---- {Introduction and annotation}

Newspaper articles/ Pictures (India)—{annotation}

Word count estimate about 3430

Glossary

Stakeholders---(n), somebody or something with direct interest, eg a person or group with

a direct, involvement or investment in something, eg the employees, shareholders, and

customers of a business concern ( Source Encarta Dictionary UK)

CSR---- Corporate social responsibility

PET---(n) recyclable plastic a type of plastic used for recyclable containers

Ecosystem—organism and their environment, a localised group of inter dependent

organisms together with the environment that they inhabit and depend on.

aerosols: Extremely small particles of liquid or dust in the atmosphere. Burning coal releases 
sulfur   dioxide   which   in   the   atmosphere   is   transformed   into   sulfate   aerosols.   One   geo-
engineering strategy would put more aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight back to 
space. 

afforestation: Establishing new forests on unforested land. Afforresting large areas of land so 
that   trees   will   absorb   and   store   carbon   from   the   atmosphere   could   slow   carbon   dioxide 
buildup. 

albedo:  The fraction of sunlight that is reflected by earth, ice, and clouds back into space. 
The value for today's earth is about one- third (i.e., two-thirds of the sunlight is absorbed). 

biodiversity: The number of different kinds of plant and animal species that live in a region. 
On land, tropical rain forests have the highest biodiversity. 

biomass:  The amount of living matter in a particular region, usually expressed as weight 
(mass) per unit area (e.g., tons per acre). 

carbon cycle: The processes by which carbon is cycled through the environment. Carbon, in 
the   form   of  carbon   dioxide,   is   absorbed  from  the   atmosphere   and  used  by  plants   in  the 

Page 15 of 23
process of photosynthesis to store energy. Plants and animals then return carbon dioxide to 
the atmosphere through respiration when they consume this entergy. On a much long time-
scale, carbon is also cycled into and out of rocks.

carbon dioxide: A gas made up of two atoms of carbon and one atom of oxygen which is 
produced whenever carbon-based fuels are burned (or oxidized more slowly in plants and 
animals). Carbon dioxide is the most important "greenhouse gas" which may cause climate 
change.   Human   sources   of   carbon   dioxide   include   burning   fossil   fuels   for   electricity, 
transportation,   heating,   cooling,   and   manufacturing.   Burning   trees   in   the   process   of 
deforestation also produces carbon dioxide. Abbreviated CO2. 

chlorofluorocarbons:  A family of greenhouse gases used in air conditioning, as industrial 
solvents and in other commercial applications. Abbreviated CFCs. CFCs destroy ozone in the 
stratosphere (see ozone). CFCs were once widely used in spray cans but in the U.S. this use 
has now been banned. Other uses are also being eliminated under an international agreement 
negotiated in Montreal in 1987. 

climate: The average pattern of weather in a place. While weather may change substantially 
from day-to-day, when changes in climate occur, they usually happen gradually over many 
years. 

deforestation: Cutting most or all of the trees in a forested area. Deforestation contributes to 
warming by releasing carbon dioxide, changing the albedo (amount of sunlight reflected from 
the surface) and reducing the amount of carbon dioxide taken out of the atmosphere by trees. 
Today, deforestation may contribute about 20% of possible warming. 

discount rate: A measure of how cost and benefits that will happen in the future compare to 
cost and benefits today. 

energy intensity:  The amount of energy used by an appliance or an industry to produce a 

product or service. For example, a fluorescent light requires only 20 watts to produce the 
same amount of light as a regular 100 watt light bulb, so its energy intensity is 5 times lower. 
Reducing  energy intensity is one way to increase energy efficiency and emit less carbon 
dioxide. 

feedback:  The mechanism by which changes in one part of the earth-atmosphere system 
affect future changes in other parts of that system. Feedbacks come in two kinds. In climate 
change, negative feedbacks work to slow down or offset warming while positive feedbacks 
work to speed up or amplify warming. 

fossil fuel:  Coal, oil (from which gasoline is make), and natural gas are called  fossil  fuels 

because the chemical energy they contained is left over from plants and animals that lived 
long ago. 

greenhouse effect:  The   process   by   which   energy   from   the   sun   is   trapped   under   the 
atmosphere to cause warming. Light energy can easily pass in through the atmosphere. Once 
some of this light is absorbed by dark surfaces, the resulting heat energy has greater difficulty 
getting back out. Through the naturally occurring greenhouse effect, water vapor, ozone and 
carbon   dioxide   have   kept   temperatures   on   the   earth   moderate   for   several   billions   years. 
Today, people are adding more gases which might increase the temperature. 

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greenhouse gas: Any gas in the atmosphere that contributes to the greenhouse effect. These 
include carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, CFCs, and water vapor. Most occur 
naturally as well as being created by people. 

methane:  A greenhouse gas consisting of one molecule of carbon and four molecules of 
hydrogen. Pound-for-pound it produces between 5 to 10 times more warming than carbon 
dioxide.   Methane   is   produced   naturally   from   rotting   organic   matter.   Human   sources   of 
methane include agricultural activities such as growing rice and raising live stock, land-fills, 
coal mines, and natural gas systems. Abbreviated CH4. 

Montreal protocol:  An   international   treaty   signed   in   1987   that   limits   production   of 
chlorofluorocarbons. 

natural gas: Gas obtained from wells used as a fuel. While it contains many chemicals the 
principle component of natural gas is methane. 

nitrous oxide: A greenhouse gas consisting of two molecules of nitrogen and one molecule 
of oxygen. Pound-for-pound it produces about 300 times more warming than carbon dioxide. 
Nitrous oxide is created when fuels are burned and is also released during the use of nitrogen-
based crop fertilizers. Abbreviated N2O. 

ozone:  An  unstable  gas  in   which   three   molecules  of  oxygen  occur   together.   Ozone  is   a 
greenhouse   gas.   In   the   atmosphere   ozone   occurs   at   two   different   altitudes.   Low   altitude 
tropospheric ozone is a form of air pollution (part of smog) produced by the emissions from 
cars   and   trucks.   High   in   the   atmosphere   a   thin   layer   of  stratospheric ozone  is   naturally 
created   by   sunlight.   This   ozone   layer   shields   the   earth   from   dangerous   (cancer-causing) 
ultraviolet   radiation   from   the   sun.   Chlorine   gas   from   chlorofluorocarbons   speeds   the 
breakdown of ozone in the ozone layer. While important, this is largely a different problem 
from the problem of global warming. Abbreviated O3. 

sea level rise: An increase in the average level of the ocean caused by expansion when water 

is warmed and by addition of more water when ice caps melt. 

sequester: To remove or segregate. Scientists sometimes say that activities, such as planting 
trees, which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, sequester carbon dioxide. 

sink:  A place where material is removed or stored. For example, the oceans absorb about 
50% of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Scientists refer to the oceans as a 
carbon dioxide sink. 

stratosphere: The upper part of the earth's atmosphere, above about seven miles. 

sustainable development:  Economic   activities   which   can   meet   the   needs   of   the   present 
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. 

troposphere: The lower portion of the atmosphere in which we live. 

weather: The condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time measured in terms in 
wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation (rain, snow, etc.). In 
most places, weather can change from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season

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Abatement options  are strategies that reduce emissions. We have considered three kinds, 
improved energy efficiency, use of cleaner energy sources, and changes in agriculture and 
forestry. 

ANNOTATIONS

Marks & Spencer: Beyond Ethical Audits

Anglo American Responsible Supply Chain Award 2010

M&S is at the forefront of ethical sourcing and its commitments to implement mechanisms to 
achieve a living wage for the workers who make its products across Bangladesh, India and 
Sri Lanka are fantastic and sector-leading.

Dan Rees Director, Ethical Trading Initiative 

Marks and Spencer has nearly two million workers its global supply chain; how they are 
treated is important to the company, its customers and wider stakeholders. Traditionally, the 
company used an extensive audit programme to maintain labour standards, but its negative 
focus on eliminating non-compliance was found to have significant limitations. Through the 
Sustainability Framework and Ethical Model Factories, M&S has worked in partnership with 
factories to improve process efficiency as a means to increase wages, reduce working hours 
and protect the quality of products.

Process

M&S had been targeted on specific ethical issues by NGOs and trade unions, namely a living 
wage  (abroad) and fair treatment  of agency workers (in the UK). At the  same  time, the 
company’s ethical audit programme had shown that many issues relating to labour standards 
were not country-specific, but often linked to ineffective  management.  The Sustainability 
Framework enables suppliers to address commercial and ethical issues holistically, through 
the agreement of tailored targets under the five themes of M&S’s overarching sustainability 
strategy,   Plan   A.   It   helps   suppliers   understand   best   practice   and   promotes   continuous 
improvement through its structured levels of sustainability – bronze, silver and gold.

The Ethical Model Factories, of which there are four – one in the UK and three in Bangladesh 
– have been assisted by a cross-functional team of buyers, technical managers and product 
development staff from M&S. Through identifying cost savings and efficiencies  with the 
factories, they have developed a much deeper knowledge of their suppliers’ businesses and 
how they can help improve productivity from the procurement side, such as avoiding late 
changes to orders. Programmes in the Ethical Model Factories cover a range of initiatives 
such as increasing workers’ wages, creating permanent roles and educating workers about 
their rights. 

The   Ethical   Model   Factories   have   been   visited   by   senior   M&S   personnel,   including   its 
Chairman, Sir Stuart Rose, and the programme was supported by a six-monthly stakeholder 
forum, including Oxfam, Ethical Trading Initiative, The Carbon Trust and Business in the 

Page 18 of 23
Community. It has demonstrated that a well trained, motivated and remunerated workforce is 
key to a strategic, innovative supply chain, and the results have been shared with retailers, 
suppliers and NGOs through internal and external conferences. The programme is currently 
being scaled up to the remaining 25 factories in the UK and Bangladesh, and plans are in 
place to subsequently extend it to India, then Sri Lanka and China.

Impact

Business Benefits

• Productivity   in   the   Bangladeshi   Ethical   Model   Factories   increased   by  42   percent, 

providing money to invest in workers’ wages
• Staff   turnover   reduced   from   10   to   2.5   percent   in   Bangladesh   factories,   and 
absenteeism reduced from 10 to 1.5 percent
• Quality improved, with complaints about UK-produced goods falling by a third

Supplier and Society Benefits

• Basic wages in Bangladesh increased by 10 percent, with new bonuses leading to 
overall salary increases of between 12 and 55 percent 
• Working hours reduced – from 60 hours to a 57 hour week in one factory
• Harassment and abuse reduced ‘a lot’ according to 95 percent of workers

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/urgent-actions/itemlist/tag/M&S#

Supporting garment workers worldwide

Displaying   items   by   tag:   M&S   http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/urgent-

actions/itemlist/tag/M&S#
Subscribe to this RSS feed 
Wednesday, 25 August 2010 12:52 

Take action to support Viva Global workers

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At   9:30am   on   the   25th   August   60   workers   from   the   Viva   Global   factory   in   India   were 
brutally attacked as they made their way into work. 16 women workers were severely beaten 
and a union leader, Anwar Asari, was kidnapped by thugs. Ansari was beaten before being 
dropped in a street near his home over 12 hours later. He is undergoing treatment for multiple 
injuries.

Demand justice for Ansari and for the immediate halt of violence and intimidation
against union members.

Use the form below to write to Mr Vohra, the owner of Viva Global, to demand he takes 
action today. Emails will also be copied to Marks and Spencer, the main buyer from the Viva 
Global factory

Dear Mr Vohra and Mr Hundal, 
I am writing to express my shock and outrage at the attack on workers at the Viva Global 
factory on August 25th 2010. 

Although relieved to hear of the return of Mr Anwar Ansari I am horrified to hear of the 
ordeal he was subjected to. 

Such action plays no part in an industry that claims to be so vital in the economic life of 
India. Nor should it take place in the supply chains of multinational brands who claim to 
respect the rights of their workers around the world. 

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I hope that this incident will finally lead to the improvements demanded by your workers and 
that   this   will   open   a   new   chapter   of   mature   and   civilised   industrial   relations   at   your 
company, where workers are able to negotiate their pay and conditions and where all those 
associated with Viva Global can benefit from its success. 

Therefore I am writing today to urge you both to take steps to
ensure the immediate arrest of those responsible for Ansari's kidnapping;
immediately stop the hiring of gangsters and physical violence against workers;
reinstate locked out workers in the same position and provide back pay for the days missed.
Hold a tripartite meeting between M&S, Viva Global and GAWU and begin negotiations on 
freedom of association, pay and conditions;
Take immediate steps to ensure that workers are able to freely join the union of their choice 
without fear of reprisal
Immediatly stop the outsourcing of work to non unionised subcontractors.

I look forward to hearing of the steps you are taking to resolve this situation,

Wednesday, 25 August 2010 12:29 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

M&S: Union members attacked at Indian supplier

Take  action  now to condemn  the kidnapping of a trade union leader  at a M&S supplier 

factory in India and to call for his attackers to be brought to justice. The kidnapping is part of 
a brutal attack against 60 workers, which took place as they arrived for work at the Viva 
Global factory in Gurgaon, India on August 25th 2010.

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Published in M&S: Union members attacked in India 
Read more.

M&S, Next and Gap in new "sweatshop" scandal

Rate this item
 (3 votes)

Six-year-old Bubli is left alone while her parents work Gethin Chamberlain 

“Marks   and   Spencer,   one   of   the   UK   companies   most   often   lauded   for   its   ethical 
commitments, has become embroiled in a new "sweatshop" scandal following an expose by 
the   Observer   yesterday.   The   investigation   also   found   a   supplier   for   NEXT   and   GAP 
employing   workers   under   conditions   that   fail   to   match   either   Indian   law   or   the   ethical 
standards of the brands themselves.”

“According to the Observer workers at the Viva Global factory in Gurgaon, who said they 
produced clothing for the M&S Girls' Limited range had, until recently, been required to stay 
for up to 16 hours a day.”

“One worker, Subhash, 35, said they could not feed their children on their 5,000 rupees [£69] 
a month basic wage. Pappu, 28, and Rajesh, 32, said they had worked from 9am to 10pm for 

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a basic 4,600 rupees a month, with overtime paid at single rate. "We need to work for the 
money and if we don't the company will kick us out," said Bitthu, 26”.

“He was speaking during his lunch break a few blocks away from Viva Global's shabby, 
unmarked three-storey building in Gurgaon. "If we complain to the management, they are 
ignoring us, nobody is paying attention. If the workers says they don't want to work, then the 
management says you have another option, you can leave the company."

"We don't want to work but are working because of our family expenses," said Mohan Singh, 
25, a father of two children, who also works in Viva Global's factory producing items for 
M&S.   "If   we   don't   work   our   salary   will   be   stopped,   but   the   rent   of   the   house   and   the 
children's school fees won't stop."

“Over recent years M&S has run a highly publicised campaign to reassure customers that 
ethics   are   at   the   heart   of   their   business.   A   few   months   ago   they   publicly   committed   to 
ensuring all its workers in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka receive a ‘fair living wage’ by 
2015. M&S says it has yet to see evidence to support the wage claims (made by Viva Global 
workers)”.

“At the House of Pearl factory, producing for NEXT and GAP, workers reported working up 
to 150 hours of overtime on top of their eight hour a day shifts. One worker Segar, 20, told 
the Observer he had worked every day in June, putting in 150 hours of overtime: "I like the 
work   but   don't   like   the   excessive   overtime.   But   we   are   told   if   you   don't   want   to   work 
overtime you don't work here."

“Gap, which uses the same factory as Next, confirmed it had found wage violations and gave 
its supplier a deadline of midnight last night to repay workers who lost out”.

“House of Pearl chairman Deepak Seth apologised and described recent trading conditions as 
a "nightmare". He said that a combination of demand for workers for projects related to the 
Commonwealth Games, which will be held in October, and the annual return of workers to 
their home villages for the wedding season, had left the factories 40% short of their normal 
number of workers and they had responded by increasing overtime beyond the maximum two 
hours per day allowed by law”.

“Sudhir   Kumar   Makhija,   chief   operating   officer   for  Viva   Global,   said   the   company   was 
committed   to   ethical   trading.   he   also   claimed   that   some   workers   may   want   to   harm   the 
company by making unsubstantiated allegations. However he did acknowledge that workers 
had complaints  and said the company had hired an experienced HR manager "to address 
workers' grievances".

The extracts and information above was taken from an Observer article "Gap, Next and M&S

in new sweatshop scandal" written by Gethin Chamberlain and printed on the 8th August 
2010. The full article can be viewed at  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/08/gap-
next-marks-spencer-sweatshops  and   a   comment   by   Lucy   Seigle   can   be   viewed   at 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/08/fashion-sweatshops-lucy-siegle-comment

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