Marks & Spencer Group plc sustainability score: 43/100

M&S reports ~385,000 tonnes CO₂e Scope 1+2 (FY2025) with limited assurance by Deloitte under ISAE 3000. Cumulative reductions of 26,968 tonnes against baseline exceed 12,000-tonne target. Third-party verification in place; GHG Protocol methodology applied. Facility-type granularity not publicly confirmed.

M&S acknowledges Scope 3 (94–95% of footprint, ~7.0M tonnes CO₂e) relies on modelled estimates for large portions. Uses Manufacture 2030, Higg Index, Secaro, and Mondra for supplier data, but coverage remains partial. Company noted disclosed reductions cannot yet be seen in emissions; methodology depth remains incomplete.

Scope 1+2 fell 32% to ~363,000 tonnes CO₂e (FY22/23), plateaued in FY2024/25. Total value-chain emissions rising: Scope 3 up ~37% in one recent year, 6% since 2017. Total emissions rose 6% despite 9% revenue growth. Trajectory inconsistent with 1.5°C pathway.

M&S procures 100% renewable electricity for UK and ROI operations; joined RE100. Electrifying store estate (LED, heat pumps); transitioning logistics to bio-CNG and battery-electric HGVs (215 bio-CNG vehicles, ~15% of fleet kilometres). Gas remains in use; international operations outside UK/ROI scope unclear.

99% palm oil RSPO-certified with segregated status; 71% soy in animal feed certified deforestation-and-conversion-free (beating 60% target). Canopy partnership since 2015. SBTi-validated FLAG deforestation target ended FY2025 with no replacement set. Good On You reports no evidence of biodiversity protection actions; Changing Markets found claim substantiation issues.

Zero operational waste to landfill across UK/ROI. Food waste reduced 44% against 2017/18 baseline; edible surplus redistribution 85% toward 100% target. 252.2 million plastic units removed cumulatively (exceeding 200M target). Recycled polyester at 69.7% of 70% target. Hanger reuse >1 billion diverted. Supply chain resource data incomplete.

Over 90% water footprint in supply chain. WWF partnership since 2008 applies Water Risk Filter to food and clothing supply chains. Direct suppliers reduced 8.5 million m³ annually via Food scorecard. Climate, biodiversity, water risk assessment across top 50 food raw materials completed FY22/23. No verified operational water consumption targets set.

SBTi-validated near-term targets: 55% Scope 1+2 absolute reduction by FY2030; 42% Scope 3 non-FLAG by FY2030; 30.3% FLAG by FY2030. Net-zero commitment (FY2039/40) removed from SBTi Business Ambition list in 2024 for failing validation within deadline. Company prioritises direct reduction over offsets; REGOs rejected as long-term solution.

Annual ESG Report (May 2025), TCFD Report, Basis of Reporting, RCF KPI Updates with Deloitte assurance (ISAE 3000). ESG Committee chaired by non-executive; CEO and Plan A Director attend. Scope 1+2 limited assurance only. Board approves strategy. Linkage of executive compensation to sustainability targets not confirmed.

Oxford Street redevelopment (2022): SAVE Britain's Heritage accused M&S of 'epic greenwashing' over demolish-vs-retrofit carbon claim (contested, unruled). Changing Markets found 88% of clothing sustainability claims would not meet CMA guidelines. Feedback (2023) criticised greenwashing tactics promoting meat/dairy. No regulatory fines or climate litigation identified.