Draft Copy f

8/7/2019 Draft Copy f

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/draft-copy-f 1/23

J e g a

A

utu

m

n2010

Ma

ki n

gM&S

am

ore

susta

ina

bleretail

er

onth

e

planet

Plan A and M&S has set the trend to beat globalwarming, curtail climate change via commendable plansand suggestions, focusing on collegial as well asindividual contribution to re-invent a greener andsustainable planet for a better and brighter to-morrow.

Company Profile

The Registered Officeand 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

[email protected]

Web address: marksandspencer.com

Registered Number: 4256886

Place of Registration: England and

Wales

For shareholder queries, please call

our registrar, Equiniti.

[Type the company address][Type the phone number]

[Type the fax number]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.marksandspencer.com/

http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/site_contacts/contact_investors#registrars

http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/site_contacts/contact_investors#registrars

http://www.marksandspencer.com/

mailto:[email protected]



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 ,

Page 5 of 23



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 seesfirsthand 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

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/user/jamie


http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/forests/what-a-carve-up-the-con-in-the-congo-logging-industry


http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/forests/what-a-carve-up-the-con-in-the-congo-logging-industry



“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

Page 7 of 23



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

Page 8 of 23



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 energyand 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

Page 9 of 23



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 peopleinvolved 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) measuresthe 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 intransportation, 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 decidewhich 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, sealevel 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 nextcentury, 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

http://www.search-for-me.co.uk/rainforest_31.html

http://www.search-for-me.co.uk/green_electricity_providers_51.html

http://www.search-for-me.co.uk/rainforest_31.html

http://www.search-for-me.co.uk/green_electricity_providers_51.html



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 2mworkers 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 theorganisation and fails to stop before it is too late. Plan A is in itself a guarantee not

Page 12 of 23



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 toventure 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





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, inthe 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 andanimals). 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 feedbackswork 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.

Page 16 of 23



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 carbondioxide. 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 moleculeof 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 acarbon 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.). Inmost places, weather can change from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season

Page 17 of 23



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

Page 19 of 23

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

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/urgent-actions/itemlist/tag/M&S?format=feed

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/urgent-actions/item/850-viva-global-action


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

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/urgent-actions/itemlist/tag/M&S?format=feed




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.

Page 20 of 23



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 toensure 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 VivaGlobal factory in Gurgaon, India on August 25th 2010.

Page 21 of 23

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/urgent-actions/item/849-ms-viva-global




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 ethicalcommitments, 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

Page 22 of 23

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/urgent-actions/itemlist/category/246-viva-global


http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/media/k2/items/cache/b77c990e633dac0ff65890b0db32f237_XL.jpg

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/urgent-actions/itemlist/category/246-viva-global




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 themanagement 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 Globalworkers)”.

“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 workershad 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

WORD COUNT:-2940

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

P 23 f 23

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/08/gap-next-marks-spencer-sweatshops









Documents

Draft Copy f