Marks and Spencer (M&S) is aiming to be a net zero business by 2040 and has launched a £1 million fund to accelerate this goal. The Plan A Accelerator Fund will support innovative projects with existing and new suppliers.

One project involves a first-of-its-kind clothing recycling trial with Oxfam. Unwearable clothes donated to Oxfam will be turned into new materials, preventing them from going to landfill. This aligns with M&S's focus on a circular fashion economy.

Another project uses AI to optimize heating and ventilation in stores, potentially saving thousands of tons of carbon annually if rolled out across all stores.

Other initiatives include exploring green hydrogen fuel, a shoe recycling program, and agricultural tech using eco-friendly methods.

M&S CEO Stuart Machin emphasizes the company's commitment to innovation and collaboration to achieve net zero. He highlights the potential of these projects to make a significant impact on climate challenges.

This comes after M&S invested in Nobody's Child, an eco-conscious fashion brand, and saw a sales increase in clothing and home ranges, suggesting a positive response to their sustainability efforts.