M&S and Schneider Electric: Investing in Supplier Renewables

Marks & Spencer has announced a new partnership with Schneider Electric, with the launch of its new decarbonisation programme.

RE:Spark is the new supply chain programme, striving towards the adoption of renewable energy across M&S's global supply chain.

The initiative is part of M&S's wider goals of empowering its suppliers and forming sustainable supply chains.

Building sustainable supply chains

As a major retailer, M&S has been focusing on improving environmental performance across its manufacturing and operations for a while - its Plan A sustainability strategy is aiming for net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040, and the company has made recent leaps in its circularity measures, adopting the scheme 'Another Life'.

The company's circularity initiative, Another Life, has allowed it to form partnerships with other companies in order to diversify its supply chain and build business resilience. Another Life allows customers to trade in their pre-loved items through M&S's online takeback scheme, before buying pre-loved items through the M&S x eBay store, with profits supporting Oxfam. 

Now, it is taking another step to sustainable supply chains, with a new partnership. During Schneider Electric's Innovation Summit North America, a new partnership was unveiled between M&S and Schneider Electric. The new decarbonisation programme, RE:Spark, aims to accelerate the adoption of renewable electricity across M&S's global fashion supply chain.

The RE:Spark initiative will take place throughout warehouses and manufacturing facilities and will eventually power everything, from its lights and the machines which help make the clothes, to the vehicles which transport its goods. The programme will be rolled out over the next three years, beginning with a focus on high-impact regions within its fashion and food supply chain.

“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,” says Katharine Beacham, Head of Sourcing and Materials in Fashion, Home & Beauty at M&S.

"We know that real change happens when we collaborate. RE:Spark is designed to ignite new ideas and unlock renewable energy opportunities for our supply base so we can build a supply chain that’s fit for the future and the planet. It’s part of our broader commitment to driving meaningful impact across our business and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

The RE:Spark commitment

RE:Spark is in place to tackle Scope 3 emissions, which can make up to 80% of a company's emissions but are the hardest to track. These emissions are ones which occur through its supply chain, so are changes which need to be embedded across entire operations. RE:Spark is M&S's commitment to creating real change throughout its supply chain.

The programme will result in better communication between M&S and its supplier base, forming transparency and reliability both ways. Through the programme, M&S will focus on a range of key areas.

Digital hub
M&S will launch a digital hub, powered by Schneider Electric's Zeigo Hub. The portal allows suppliers to submit emissions data, track decarbonisation and gain access to specialised learning resources to allow them to understand carbon reduction action. 

Boost education
M&S has plans to host regional market briefs and webinars for suppliers in five key regions: Bangladesh, China, India, Turkey and Vietnam. These webinars will help suppliers learn about renewable electricity procurement. This education empowers suppliers to take action, providing them with a guide on where to start.

Provide advice
The company will provide a range of strategic advisory services across its supply chain, allowing suppliers to assess and implement clean energy solutions. This will include green tariffs, onsite solar, energy attribute certificates and purchase power agreements (PPAs). By providing these services initially, M&S is showing suppliers how to source and assess solutions so they can do so on their own at a later date, building their own independence and resilience.

Growth
M&S aims to empower suppliers to aggregate demand for the PPAs, which will allow smaller suppliers to get involved in multi-buyer cohorts. This will help them access renewable energy at a large scale and grow their own sustainable supply chain, which then rewards M&S.

“As an energy technology company, we’re proud to be working with M&S to help suppliers overcome barriers to renewable electricity adoption,” adds 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.”

M&S has a history of working with suppliers to improve data accuracy and implement sustainable initiatives. Its dedication to providing support to its suppliers and scaling sustainability across its value chain has already made an impact on its emissions. In 2024, it sponsored 24 facilities to take part in the Apparel Impact Institute’s Carbon Leadership Programme. 

This programme supports suppliers in the examination of their energy use, helping them improve efficiency and switch to lower-carbon fuel sources. The initiative can result in up to 30% emissions reduction. 

Its partnership with Schneider Electric is allowing it to scale its sustainability initiatives on a more global scale, making an impact on its entire supply chain emissions.